Wondering what presents to buy your loved ones at home? The Local has rounded up a dozen of the very best Spanish gift ideas for everyone from foodies to fashionistas.
For the person who has everything
Spanish leather products are generally of excellent quality and great value for money too. With everything from belts and purses to handbags on offer, you're bound to find something for the man or woman who has it all.
Spain has lots of good quality leather products. Photo: Kevin Menajang / Pexels
For the joker
In one of Spain’s strangest festive traditions, many people decorate their Christmas cribs with the mysterious figure known as caganers, or 'crappers'. Traditionally the crappers were peasants from one of Spain's Catalan-speaking areas in red 'barretina' caps. But the modern versions feature well-known figures from the world of sports, politics and the movies, including former US president Donald Trump.
Caganers are for sale at Christmas markets across Catalonia. Photo: Caganer.com
READ ALSO: Why Spain’s Catalonia celebrates Christmas with someone having a poo
For the foodie
Saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices, is a key ingredient in several typical Spanish dishes including paella, and you can pick it up in Spain for roughly half the price of UK supermarkets. The thread-like spice, derived from the flower of the Crocus sativus, is used in dishes around the world, from saffron bread to curries. Soak the threads in hot water before use to release all the flavour.
Saffron grows mostly in Castilla-La Mancha but is sold all over. Photo: Victoria Bowers / Pexels
For the fashionista
Espadrilles have been made in the Pyrenees since the fourteenth century and there are shops in the Basque country than have been selling the rope-soled canvas shoes for well over a century. Recently espadrilles have exploded onto the fashion scene, being made from everyone from designers like Missoni and Valentino to almost every shop on the high street. Why not buy the fashionista in your family the real thing: a pair of Spanish espadrilles that will be much cheaper and more authentic than the designer option.
Espadrilles are particularly popular in Catalonia. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
For the carnivore
Huge legs of ham are an enduring symbol of Spain, hanging in bars and restaurants around the country. They also make a seriously impressive present for a die-hard carnivore. Jamón Ibérico is one of the finest hams in the world and is cured for at least 12 months. Include a ham stand and extra sharp knife to ensure the slicing of extra thin, melt in the mouth authentic taste of Spain. You're likely to even find vacuum-sealed jamón at Spain's main airports.
Spanish Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham) is the name which is given exclusively to hams from the Iberian pig, or Black Iberian breed. The secret to the Iberian ham taste is down to the pigs' diet of acorns. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP)
For the footy mad
Spain is home to some of the biggest football clubs on the planet and its national team is one of the best in the world. Most football teams have their own shops, but there is football merchandise to be found in every tourist shop across Spain, so popular is the national sport.
How about a Real Madrid football shirt? Photo: MoveinBlue / WikiCommons
Spain is one of the largest three wine producers in the world, along with France and Italy, and has the most land dedicated to winemaking of any country. Famous wine-producing areas include La Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Jerez, home to sherry. Spaniards also love to crack open some cava (from Catalonia) to celebrate special occasions, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing which bottle to take home.
Cheers with some Spanish wine or cava this Christmas. Photo: cottonbro studios / Pexels
What better present for kids than a classic fairy tale like Snow White (Blancanieves) - in Spanish? Not only do they have a beautiful object to enjoy, but they can learn a few words in a foreign language at the same time. If you want to pump up the educational element, there are even bilingual picture dictionaries for kids like My First 100 Words. Books on Spain are of course great presents for adults as well.
Here are ten of the best.
Spanish books for kids could make a great gift. Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva / Pexels
For those that need cooling off!
Ranging from highly elegant to very kitsch indeed, fans (abanicos) are an essential feature of summer in Spain, and while Christmas might not seem like the ideal moment to give someone a Spanish fan, there’s bound to be someone who could do with some cooling off after a family meal, not least the cook after slaving over a hot stove.
Hand painted Spanish fans could make for the ideal present. Photo: Toon Machiels / Pexels
For the fruity minded
From a farm in Valencia comes a truly original gift idea, and a much-needed boost of vitamin C, in the form of a box of fresh oranges delivered within hours of being picked from the tree. Naranjas del Carmen delivers across Europe. Just don't try and pick them off the tree in Valencia city while you're there, they'll be very sour!
Fresh Valencian oranges are a tasty gift. Photo: Joanjo Puertos / Pexels
For those who love practicality and beauty
Spain is famed for its beautiful colourful ceramics, which have played an important part in its cultural heritage. Practical gifts like mugs, bowls and plates can become extra special when they're covered in Spanish hand painted designs. You can even go for a ceramic tile instead for something a little different. Some of the best areas to shop for ceramics are Seville, Valencia, Castellón and Granada.
Spanish ceramics are good Christmas gift idea. Photo: Magda Ehlers / Pexels
For the art lover
Museum shops are a great place to buy a last-minute gift and a lasting memento of a favourite masterpiece. Whether it be a tie with emblems taken from Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights from the Prado, a Gaudi-style tiled paperweight or a Picasso printed tea towel in Málaga, there are lots of choices.
Museum shops are a perfect place to buy gifts. Photo: Ernaux Eric / Wikimedia Commons
