Christmas in Girona.

They don't exactly go 'over the top' with their Christmas street decorations here, and they don't seem to appear until the very start of December. The old town Rambla has Christmas lights and the Hipercor/Corte Ingles complex (C/ Barcelona) has outdoor illuminations.
Some private residences are decorated but not with the same enthusiasm as you might see in some U.K towns!

The whole xmas experience feels much less commercialized than back in the UK. You just never really see the hustle and bustle of shoppers (except maybe in Espai Girones) at anytime, even a few days before xmas when 'last-minute' shoppers come out!
Even on one xmas eve I observed that many shops were closed in the afternoon! Also, I've noticed that you can't seem to buy 'Gift Vouchers' in many shops.

Kids though certainly get their fair share of gifts with three 'gift-giving' times. First comes the 'Tio' (uncle) around xmas eve, which is a dressed-up wooden log that has a painted-on face, stilts for legs and a red hat or blanket which you can buy or just create yourself. The tradition involves children beating this Tio with a small stick at the same time as shouting 'Tio, Tio' and also 'feeding' it with small pieces of fruit or similar prior to receiving any gifts. As you hit the Tio it's supposed to 'shit' small presents! However, parents usually place a number of small gifts around the tio a couple of days before xmas.

But, the gift giving carries on into the new year with the Three Kings celebration on around the 5th or 6th of January when kids get another round of pressies. The processions are well worth watching and take place in all the major towns and cities in this region. (see the Girona Festivals page).

Here are a few xmas shopping events in Girona. Again, if your'e visiting at this time of year then check the main tourist office in the Rambla for up-to-date info on local events and free leaflets.

Firanadal (xmas fair), Placa Independencia 2nd Dec. till 5th of Jan. 10am-9pm. Lots of stalls selling xmas gift ideas like plants, toys, jewellery, clothes and paintings. The set-up looks good and better I think than in 2007.

Fira de productes artesans (artesan food products) C/ Santa Clara, Sat 1st & 8th Dec 10am-9pm.

Fira de productes artesans, Pont de Pedra (stone bridge) non-food items, 15th Dec.-5th Jan. 10am-9pm.

English Xmas Fayre, Dec.13th 2008 at the Caritas H.Q opposite the La Merce building, organized by the Girona grapevine members. Profits will go to local charities. First time event, sure to be repeated. Go along and join the festive fun!

Xmas plants and flowers, in the Ramla Llibertat (old town) from 15th-24th Dec. 10am-9pm.
In 2006 there was also a large marquee in Placa Catalunya which sold Antiques from various dealers during the run-up to Christmas (not here in 2007 I noticed).

Christmas markets elsewhere.
This year (2007) there was a night-time medieval type craft market held on the 2nd of Dec. in Peratalada, near Bisbal.
Olot has a xmas market 6-8th Dec.

2008 Updates: Here's a handy website that lists a lot of xmas events in the area www.pessebresvivents.cat

The artificial Ice Rink is coming to Girona yet again, this year (08) it's a bit shorter, Dec 19th to Jan. 5th 09. Pl. Independencia.