7 ¿Cuál es tu día festivo favorito?
I. Los días festivos
Holidays offer a window into how different cultures come together and celebrate meaningful moments. Several holidays overlap in the U.S. and Spanish-speaking countries such as Christmas, New Years and Easter; however, the way that they are celebrated are unique and have their own traditions.
In this section of the chapter, you will learn how to say certain holidays in Spanish, state when they occur, describe how they are celebrated and learn about new holidays and traditions specific to Spanish-speaking countries. How exciting!
What días festivos (holidays) do you celebrate?
See Slide 41 for a list of holidays and the dates when they occur in the United States, Spain and Latin America.
Play the audio to hear how they are pronounced.
Actividad A
Paso 1.
Paso 2. Write two holidays you celebrate from the list and the date they occur.
Modelo- Celebro la Nochebuena y la Nochevieja. La Nochebuena es el 24 de diciembre y la Nochevieja es el 31 de diciembre.
Now that you know how to say the holidays in Spanish, see Slide 42 for a description of how some of these popular holidays are celebrated in the U.S. in Spanish. For the English translation, see page 2 of Slide 42.
Play the audio to hear how the following holidays are celebrated.
Actividad B
Listen as María describes her favorite holidays. Select which holiday she is describing in each number.
¡Muy bien! 🙂
Actividad C
Paso 1. Select a holiday from Slide 41, write when it is, and describe how you celebrate it from Slide 42 as a reference. Include at least three things you do on that day.
If you do not celebrate any of the holidays in Slide 42, feel free to include one you do celebrate and your traditions on that day.
Modelo- Celebro el Día de Acción de Gracias con mi familia. Es el 26 de noviembre este año. Miro el fútbol americano, como pavo y doy gracias.
Paso 2. Ask a classmate which holiday they celebrate, when they celebrate it, and what they do on that day. Then switch roles.
Modelo- ¿Qué día festivo celebras? ¿Cuándo es? ¿Qué haces en ese día?
When your partner asks you what you celebrate, read your answer from Paso 1.
María also celebrates Latinx holidays. Are you familiar with any? Have you ever taken part in a Spanish or Latinx holiday celebration? What did you celebrate? How was it?
The following videos will introduce you to popular holidays celebrated by Mexicans, Spaniards and Latin Americans.
Have you seen Coco? Did you know the film was about Día de los Muertos?
Watch this video clip by Rick Kilbrai, where he posts a scene from Coco about Día de los Muertos.
Did you know that Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Years are traditional holidays that are celebrated in both English and Spanish-speaking worlds? However, they have their own traditions and ways to commemorate the day.
Watch as Lingo Mastery Spanish and Pero Like share their New Year’s Eve and Nochebuena traditions in Latin America and in the States.
Other holidays such as el Día de los Reyes Magos and el Día de los Muertos are predominately celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries, although Latinos that live in the U.S. and other countries, do celebrate these holidays as well.
Listen as Lin-Manuel Miranda shares his memories of El Día de los Reyes Magos with you through this video by the Washington Post.
Have you ever donated toys or clothing to those in need during the holidays? Have you ever sponsored a family? If not, would you like to this year?
The Latin American Association sponsors a toy drive for kids. The Chicago Community Trust also helps Latinx communities in need.
Like Lin-Manuel Miranda, MamainMadrid also celebrates el Día de los Reyes Magos, but in Spain. The traditions may be a little different. Watch as MamainMadrid walks you through the celebration in a small town by her home.
Be sure to press sound on the bottom right of the video.
Would you like to experience Nochevieja, Nochebuena or Día de los Reyes Magos in a Spanish-speaking country after watching how each holiday is celebrated? What do you find interesting about these holidays? What was most surprising to you?
Do you know how to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy New Year in Spanish? Watch the following video by Learn Spanish and Enjoy as she pronounces these useful phrases for the holiday season. 🙂
Dulce, who is featured in your Chapter 7 Introduction, would like to share the holidays she celebrates as a Mexican-American.
Actividad D
Paso 1. Dulce will be celebrating both Mexican and American holidays this year.
After learning about U.S. and Latinx holidays, select the festive day Dulce is describing in each prompt.
Dulce loves Día de los Muertos. To see Dulce on Day of the Dead, click on the following video, and play the sound by clicking on the bottom right of the video.
Dulce en el Día de los Muertos
Paso 2. Dulce just shared some of her favorite holidays. Ask another student which Latinx holiday they want to celebrate and why.
Modelo- De los días festivos latinos, ¿cuál quieres celebrar y por qué?
Example answer- Quiero celebrar el Día de los Reyes Magos porque me gustan los regalos en los zapatos.
Dulce would like you to learn about some of the Mexican holidays she celebrates. In the following video, Dulce introduces you to Día de los Muertos and treats you to a makeup tutorial from The Book of Life to celebrate the holiday.
ChidoChicago recently shared her personal video from her visit to the ofrendas and alters in Chicago on Day of the Dead. Be sure to press sound on the bottom right of the video.
If you would like to create your own alter to honor a loved one who has passed on, you could follow this video by Fue Tete DIY.
Actividad E
Have you ever built a Day of the Dead alter? With another person, plan an ofrenda together. Discuss who you would like to honor, and what you would like to put on your alter based on the videos you saw by Dulce, Chido Chicago and Tete DIY.
Click here for a list of vocabulary words related to a Día de los Muertos alter.
The song in the background is called “Tu Cárcel” by Lila Downs.
Modelo- Quiero recordar a mi abuelita, Rosa. En mi ofrenda quiero poner fotos de mi abuelita, velas, flores de cempasúchil, sus bebidas y comidas favoritas y pan de muerto.
¡Bravo! 🙂
Intercultural reflection 1
Although Dulce provided you an introduction to Día de los Muertos and Tete showed you how to create an alter, to truly understand what Día de los Muertos means to Latinos, it is important to hear from them personally.
Ford Quarterman, a social media influencer and content creator, traveled to Mexico to experience his first Día de los Muertos. Watch as he takes you through Michoacán, México, one of the most traditional places to experience Día de los Muertos.
Explore more
- Name 5 new words related to Día de los Muertos that you learned in Spanish from this video.
- What did you learn from the perspective of Mexicans about Día de los Muertos? Was this perspective new to you? How so?
- What moved you from Ford’s video about Día de los Muertos? Has this changed your perspective about death or how Latinos view death?
- Who is someone you would like to honor and remember on Día de los Muertos? What did this person mean to you? What would you like to put on their alter and why?
- Chido Chicago walked you through a local celebration in Chicago celebrating Día de los Muertos. Would you ever take part in such a celebration as Chido Chicago and Ford did, given the opportunity?
- If you are in the Chicago area and would like to explore Día de los Muertos in a Mexican-American community, you could visit The National Museum of Mexican Art. In November, you could take part in the same celebration Chido Chicago did.
Actividad F
Paso 1. Watch the following award-winning animated film by Ashley Graham, Kate Reynolds and Lindsay St, which celebrates Día de los Muertos, posted by CG Meet Up.
Paso 2. In groups of 3-4 students, discuss the following questions about the short film.
- ¿Qué ejemplos del Día de los Muertos hay en el video? En el video hay, _____, _____, ____ y _____.
- ¿Cuál es tu parte favorita del video? Me gusta _________.
- ¿El video tiene un tono (tone) feliz, triste o los dos? El video tiene un tono _____ porque _______.
Finally, Cinco de Mayo is very important to Dulce. Some of her American friends confuse this day for Mexican Independence Day. As a result, Dulce created a slide that explains the difference between Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day and how both holidays are celebrated.
Cinco de Mayo vs Día de la Independencia de México
Unfortunately, Cinco de Mayo has fallen victim to instances of cultural appropriation. Huffpost posted a video about how not to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
To learn ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo respectfully, Dulce is sharing the following article by CultureAlly.
Actividad G
In groups of 2-3 students, answer the following questions together. You can provide the answers in English.
The song in the background is called “Qué Me Vas a Dar” by Jenni Rivera.
- What is the difference between Cinco de Mayo and Día de la Independencia de México?
- What is an example of cultural appropriation when celebrating Cinco de Mayo?
- Name 2-3 respectful ways to show cultural appreciation versus cultural appropriation when celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
You are now ready to discuss the holidays in Spanish in your upcoming video call. The following slide includes questions you can ask about the holidays during your video message. There are sample answers provided, in case you are asked one of the questions as well.
Play the audio to hear the questions pronounced in Spanish.
Actividad H
In groups of two, select two questions from Slide 43 you would like to ask a partner regarding their holiday traditions. Then switch roles.
The song in the background is called “El Cantante” by Marc Anthony.
What did you learn about your partner’s holiday celebrations? 🙂
II. ¿Qué sabes y conoces de los días festivos?
To better compare and contrast your holiday traditions with Latinx ones, it is important to share what you know and ask more questions about these celebrations. You could use the verbs saber and conocer to accomplish this. Both verbs mean to know. However, saber and conocer are used in different contexts.
Watch as holamydailyspanish provides the differences between saber and conocer.
For a summary of the verbs saber and conocer and how to use them in conversation, see Slide 44.
Listen to the audio to hear how these verbs are pronounced.
Nina is Mexican-American, like Dulce, who you met earlier. Your Chapter 1 Assessment will be to participate in a video call with Nina to discuss the holidays.
In the following link, watch as Nina shares her Christmas traditions using the verbs saber and conocer.
Actividad I
Paso 1. Did you hear the verbs saber and conocer in Nina’s video as she asks what you know about the holidays.
Paso 2. Select why Nina uses the verbs saber and conocer in each of the contexts from her video in the following activity.
Actividad J
Select whether to use saber or conocer in the following contexts.
¡Muy bien! 🙂
Actividad K
Pedro will be connecting virtually with a Mexican university student to talk about the holidays.
Help Pedro create 5 questions for his upcoming video call using saber and conocer.
¡Fabuloso! 🙂
For more practice using saber and conocer in context, click on this quiz from ProProfs Quizzes.
III. ¿Qué les regalas?
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Do you exchange gifts or acts of kindness during the holidays? Who do you give gifts or provide acts of kindness to? In Spanish, when you identify someone who is going to receive an action, object, or in this case, a gift, you would use an indirect object pronoun.
Listen as Dulce discusses what she is going to gift to her different family members for Christmas.
Did you notice that Dulce used the indirect object pronoun, Le, to identify who is receiving her gifts?
For example, Dulce says:
A mi madre le voy a regalar maquillaje. I am going to gift her makeup.
A mi esposo le voy a dar ropa. I am going to give him clothes.
A mi hijo voy a comprarle zapatos de tenis. I am going to buy him tennis shoes.
The indirect object pronoun, Le, replaces a mi madre, a mi esposo and a mi hijo
Watch as Speak Spanish with Paula introduces you to indirect object pronouns and how to use them in a sentence to signal who is receiving the action or object.
Slide 46 summarizes the indirect object pronouns Paula introduced you to and how to use them when discussing the holidays.
Actividad L
Based on what you just learned from Paula’s video and Slide 46, determine which indirect object pronoun would be used for the following people.
¡Muy bien! :). Dulce is such a gift giver! 🙂 Earlier, she shared what she plans to get her mom, husband and son for Christmas. However, Dulce has not completed her Christmas shopping! 🙂
See the following slide to see what Dulce plans to give her friends, kids from church, and other family members this holiday season.
Actividad M
¡Excelente! 🙂 Earlier Dulce asked you what you plan to gift your friends and family for the holidays. Complete the following activity to describe what you plan to give and to whom this holiday season using indirect object pronouns. You will ask what others are going to gift as well. ¡Qué divertido! 🙂
Actividad N
Paso 1. List what you plan to get yourself, your friends, your dad or grandpa or yourself and your family for the holidays. Fill in the spaces with the gifts! 🙂 How fun! 🙂
- Voy a comprarme ___________. (I am going to buy myself)
- A mis amigos, voy a regalarles ________ y ________. (I am going to buy my friends)
- A mi papá, voy a darle _________ para la Navidad. (I am going to give my dad)
- A mi familia y yo, voy a comprarnos _______ este año. (I am going to buy my family and I)
Paso 2. Ask a different student one of the two questions below to see what they plan on gifting to their family and friends this holiday season.
- ¿Qué le vas a comprar a tu madre? Answer- Le voy a comprar ______. OR Voy a comprarle _______.
- ¿Qué les vas a regalar a tus amigos para los días festivos? Answer- Les voy a regalar ________. OR Voy a regalarles _______.
Are you ready to share who you plan to give gifts to this holiday season in your video call?
For more practice with indirect object pronouns, click here.
IV. La mejor parte de los días festivos
Do you remember the best part of the holidays or the worst gift you ever received on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Diwali? What was the best?
When expressing the best, worst or extremes, you will need to use the superlative. This is a form of an adjective or adverb that shows the highest or lowest degree of something.
Watch as Sneaker Family describes the 5 best gifts under 50 euros for this holiday season.
*Be sure to select the audio track in Spanish from the settings wheel.
Do you agree with his selections? What do you think are the best gifts to give or receive for Navidad, Jánuca, el Día de los Reyes Magos, Amigos Invisibles (Secret Santa), Kwanzaa, Diwali or other holidays you celebrate?
Did you know that in Spanish, there are several ways to express extremes using the superlative? Watch as Hoy Hablamos introduces you to the relative and absolute superlatives in Spanish.
Press CC for captions in the language you prefer.
To view a summary of Hoy Hablamos’s examples of relative and absolute superlatives, review Slides 47 and 48 below.
For more examples of how to form absolute superlatives with ísimo, click on this link.
Actividad O
Based on what you’ve learned about the holidays, select the correct answer for each question using relative superlatives.
¡Bravo! 🙂
Actividad P
Paso 1. Practice recognizing absolute superlatives from Slide 48 in Dulce’s greeting card below.
Example- Absolute superlatives include words like ultra, mega, muy, extra, súper or adjectives that end in ísimo/a/s.
Paso 2. Dulce is sharing more information in her greeting cards about the holidays. Select the correct absolute superlative to complete each of her sentences.
Actividad Q
In groups of 2-3 students, select which superlative best describes each gift and explain why. Review Slides 47 and 48 for reference. Follow the cues below.
- Los calcetines son el peor/mejor regalo de la Navidad porque…
- Las velas son malísimas/buenísimas como regalo porque…
- Un par de zapatos Nike es súper caro/barato porque…
- La ropa es ultra/no muy especial como regalo porque…
- Un reloj es poco/mega especial como regalo porque…
- Una torta de fruta es el postre más/menos delicioso durante los días festivos porque…
¿Cuál es el peor o mejor regalo de la lista?
Actividad R
With a classmate, select 4 holidays below and give your opinion about each one using absolute and relative superlatives. Revisit Slides 47 and 48 for reference.
Modelo- En el Día de la Independencia de México hay muchísimos gritos en la ciudad de México.
Modelo- La Nochebuena es el mejor día festivo porque preparo tamales con mi familia.
- La Nochevieja
- El Día de los Reyes Magos
- Cinco de Mayo
- El Día de los Muertos
- La Navidad
- El Día de la Independencia de los Estados Unidos
- Halloween
Are you ready to use absolute and relative superlatives in your video message to a university student in Mexico about the holidays?
¡Bravo! 🙂
Intercultural reflection 2
You learned earlier that Dulce celebrates both American and Mexican holidays. You learned some traditions that the Latinx community practices during their holidays, but do you know the major differences between a U.S. Christmas versus a Mexican one?
Make a list of 3 holiday traditions in Mexico or the Latinx world that you’ve learned in this chapter.
Watch as Superholly breaks down the 10 major differences between Christmas in the U.S. versus Mexico in her YouTube video.
You could press CC for captions in the language you prefer.
Explore more
- List 5 differences Superholly makes between Christmas in the U.S. versus Mexico. Did you find any similarities? What are they?
- Do you agree with Superholly’s list? Do you feel Superholly accurately represented Christmas in the U.S.? If not, what would you take away or add to her list?
- What more did you learn about how Mexicans celebrate Christmas? Are there any traditions that you would like to try or adopt in the future?
- Use relative or absolute superlatives to describe the food, drinks, and music in either an American or Mexican Christmas. Modelo- Los buñuelos son riquísimos en la Navidad mexicana.
- Use a relative superlative to describe any aspect of Christmas in the U.S. and in Mexico that you learned from SuperHolly’s video. Modelo- Las canciones navideñas mexicanas son las más religiosas de todas porque incluyen Belén en muchas. La mejor bebida navideña de los Estados Unidos es el rompope (eggnog).
V. Chapter 7 Final Assessment
In Chapter 7, you learned about holidays celebrated in the U.S. and Spanish-speaking countries, you asked questions with saber and conocer and indirect object pronouns about Latinx holidays, and you used relative and absolute superlatives to share your opinion about holiday traditions in both the U.S. and Spanish-speaking countries.
For your Chapter 7 Final Assessment, you will participate in a video call with Nina about the holidays. You will complete this assessment as a GoReact Quiz in Blackboard. Here is a preview of the conversation questions. :). Can you answer them? 🙂
