Latest obsession: Madrid’s no-frills Christmas spirit

In the 1960s, Christmas in Madrid was quite no-frills…

But this year, the town hall’s budget on Christmas lights was €3,223,148. That’s quite the hike from those bygone days when local businesses would club together to put up their own, just like on Calle Pez in Malasaña…

But in the shadow of Madrid’s extravagant lights display, the spirit of no-frills Christmas lives on. You just have to look a bit closer, like in shop windows…

Walking around Madrid, I’ve spotted dozens of shop-window nativity scenes. Some of them are quite eye-catching…

While others are a little more subtle…

And then there’s the mini no-frills Christmas tree complimenting the flashing lights of the slot machines…

I just love these snow scissors spray-painted onto the window…

And the full nativity scene in the local mercado

And the handmade festive greeting signs in no-frills bars…

Then there’s the Lavapiés Christmas tree made of tinsel and tinnies left behind by the local botelloneros

But my favourite no-frills Christmas find of all is this…

Yep, that’s a Christmas tree made out of churros and porras which can be found every year in Churrería Nietos.

Have a very merry no-frills Christmas, everyone!

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2 Comments

  • Leah, you are the ever-observant eye that reveals Madrid’s authentic charm. I love this city but thanks to you I have even more to love. And, by cracky, I will have a churros Christmas tree next year. It will happen.

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