There is nothing quite like celebrating the full-on, Catholic-based Christmas Ibicenc style. There are similarities to the British version - the midnight mass and the late shopping and decorated streets, but the entire Christmas period in Ibiza contains so very much more that our own celebrations pale in comparison.
The build-up to Christmas, like so many other countries, starts in November (I believe it starts in September in England), when the lights start to go up in every street in every village on the island. There's no skimping here, and no humbugging - absolutely everybody joins in. There are red carpets in front of every shop from fashion boutique to ironmongers, nativity scenes and enormous Christmas tree in every town square, marquees for family entertainment and hippy stalls selling their seasonal wares.
Every town has a full programme of events including plays, concerts and activities for the children. Some of the slightly odder activities include the Christmas day swim across San Antonio harbour, watched by hundreds and participated in by the brave few. Elsewhere, the other main towns of Santa Eulalia, San Carlos and San Josep have their Christmas fairs with gifts and sweets for the kids and Ibiza Town even has its own mini-fairground.On Christmas Eve the first of the feasts begins, which for the locals takes precedent over Christmas Day itself. There is Serrano ham, Manchego cheese and a local rich fudge delicacy called Turron, along with roasted vegetables and other specialities. Later on, midnight mass is held in the beautiful churches all over the island. Christmas Day is lower key, perfect for a beach stroll or a trip to the country. The main reason for this is that the traditional present-giving doesn't take place on Ibiza until January the sixth, known as The Day Of The Kings.
Santa does exist here too, in the same red and white fat form we all know and love, and you can see him wandering all the streets of any town you visit (no, I don't know how he does it, either), ringing his bell, swinging his sack of toys and crying out a mighty HO HO HO.
