Are you looking for some great Christmas present ideas from Madrid?

The shopping season is about to start… So if you happen to be in Madrid during Christmastime, it’s a great moment to look for that perfect present. From food stuffs to a typical belén, the city certainly has its fair share of amazing typical Spanish presents.

Wondering what to stuff your suitcase with for friends and family this year? Here are 10 awesome Christmas present ideas to inspire you.

Table of Contents

A belén

The tradition of creating Nativity scenes to commemorate the birth of Jesus in Spain is thought to be some seven centuries old.

However, our current tradition began when Queen Maria Amalia of Saxony brought 7,000 Neapolitan figurines to Spain in the 18th century. Her impressive collection inspired the Spanish aristocracy, and these grand nativity scenes became a Christmas staple.

We Spaniards love our nativity scenes, which we call belenes (Belén is Spanish for Bethlehem). Belénes have evolved into elaborate displays that far exceed the simple nativity setups found in other countries. The belén often represents entire villages with intricate handmade figures.

Around Christmas time most Spanish families set up belenes in their homes. But belenes are exhibited pretty much everywhere: in the City Hall, public organizations, cultural institutions, schools, churches, and even shop windows.

The figures are often sold in most Christmas markets, where everything from tiny vegetables to mechanical blacksmiths is available.

Take a look at the Christmas market on Plaza Mayor which sells many belén figures and decorations. You’ll find many stalls dedicated to selling Belen figures of all shapes and sizes. From traditional to modern, this market is a must-visit.

El Corte Inglés, the famous department store chain usually sets up an extensive Christmas section in its stores, including a variety of Belen figures. Check out the larger stores, especially the one at Calle Preciados (near Puerta del Sol) or Paseo de la Castellana.

For high-quality, handcrafted pieces, visit Casa Nazaret (Calle Bordadores, 5) or El Ángel (Calle Esparteros, 3), which specialize in nativity scenes and figurines.

Christmas sweets

Christmas is the time when the Spanish rich gastronomic mix is at its high point.

There is such a wide variety of Christmas sweets that you’ll want to taste everything! From turrón and polvorones to mantecados and mazapán… Not to mention the classic roscón de Reyes!

Turrón

There are two traditional, basic types of turrón:

Soft Jijona or turrón blando, which is so smooth it has the consistency of peanut butter
Hard Alicante or turrón duro, which is like a thick almond nougat candy, similar to the texture of peanut brittle.

You can buy the best turrón at

Casa Mira (Calle San Jerónimo, 30).
Torrons Vicens (Calle Gran Vía, 47; Calle Mayor, 41; Calle Arenal, 21 and Paseo del Prado, 10).
Turrones Casa 1880 (Calle Mayor, 9).
Turrones Artesanos RP (Calle del Carmen, 6).
Antigua Pastelería del Pozo (Calle del Pozo, 8).

Polvorones and mantecados

Polvorones are traditional Spanish Christmas cookies that are flavored with almonds and are crumbly in texture.

Mantecados refers to a variety of shortbread cookies, featuring a delicate anise flavor accented with lemon and cinnamon.

Get them both at

Horno San Onofre (Calle Mayor, 73).
Casa Mira (Calle San Jerónimo, 30).
El Riojano (Calle Mayor, 10).
Antigua Pastelería del Pozo (Calle del Pozo, 8).
La Mallorquina (Puerta del Sol, 8 and Velázquez, 39).

Mazapán

Mazapán, made of sugar an almond, can come in the shape of little figures, covered with sugars or pine nuts or can even contain a rich, delicious filling.

You can find them at

Pastelería Plaza Mayor 1790 (Calle de Zaragoza, 3).
Antigua Pastelería del Pozo (Calle del Pozo, 8).
Casa Mira (Calle San Jerónimo, 30).
Horno La Santiaguesa (Calle Mayor, 73).
El Riojano (Calle Mayor, 10).

Roscón de Reyes

Spain’s roscón de Reyes is a sort of sweet bread (similar to a brioche) which is sometimes filled with sweet whipped cream and has candied fruit adorning the top.

Because it’s more of a bread, it tends to loose its softness so try it while you are in Madrid instead of taking it back home. Anyway, it tends to be a big bread (although you can find it in different sizes), so you’ll have a hard time trying to fit it in your suitcase…

You can do so at an endless number of bakeries and pastry shops. It’s one of my preferred sweets ever, so I’ve tried a lot of them… Here are my favorite places to get one:

La Duquesita (Calle Fernando VI, 2).
La Mallorquina (Puerta del Sol, 8 and Velázquez, 39).
Pastelería Formentor (Calle de Hermosilla, 81 and Calle de Santa Engracia, 62).
Doble Uve Obrador (Calle Antonio Arias, 5).
Moulin Chocolat (Alcalá, 77).
Panod (Calle Prim, 1).
Antigua Pastelería del Pozo (Calle del Pozo, 8).
Panem (Calle de Fernán González, 46).
Obrador Cientotreinta Grados (Calle de Fernando el Católico, 17).
El Riojano (Calle Mayor, 10).
Cristina Oria (Calle Ortega y Gasset, 29).
Balbisiana (Calle de Velázquez, 55).

A pair of alpargatas

This oldest and most traditional Spanish shoe is called alpargata (espadrille). The basic kind of espadrille is made of two pieces of sturdy cotton sewn to a flat hemp sole by hand.

Even the humble espadrille, though, is subject to the whims of fashion. These days even the most traditional shops also sell factory-made espadrilles in a variety of styles and will custom-make them in different fabrics.

Be sure to try them out at

Casa Hernanz (Calle de Toledo, 18).
Calzados Lobo (Calle de Toledo, 30).
Antigua Casa Crespo (Calle del Divino Pastor, 29).
La Alpargatería (Calle de García de Paredes, 74).
Casa Vega (Calle de Toledo, 57).
Alpargatería Torres (Calle de Alcalá, 185).
Toni Pons (Calle del Carmen, 25; Calle Mayor, 37 and Calle del Arenal, 9).

Jamón and cheese

What would Spain be without its famous jamón? There’s no better way to eat ham than pairing it with some incredible manchego cheese and a glass of red wine. And of course it’s even better sharing with family and friends!

There are so many places in Madrid where you can get some of the best cured products in the country…

Mercado Jamón Ibérico (Calle Mayor, 80) might be the best place in Madrid to buy jamón (and some delicious cheeses too!).

Alternatively, you can always go to

López Pascual 1919 (Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 13).
Jamones de Salamanca (Calle del General Díaz Porlier, 13).
El Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience (Plaza de Callao, 2).

Handicrafts

In Madrid one can find nearly all that Spain is famous for, including our most famous and genuine handicrafts. So if you’re looking for a special present this Christmas, there’s where to find it!

Ceramics

Spain is full of different regions, each with its own unique style of beautiful, colorful ceramics. You’ve got pitchers from Granada with bold blue and gray brushstrokes, serving bowls from Toledo decorated with vibrant flowers, and mosaic-tiled clocks that look like they belong in a Gaudí museum…

But let’s be real, you won’t have the time to explore the whole country to hunt down these ceramic gems.

That’s where Cántaro comes in! It’s a charming little shop just off bustling Gran Vía, on Calle Flor Baja, 8.

They’ve got all sorts of handcrafted ceramics from across Spain, and the prices are surprisingly good (seriously, a handmade pitcher for just 12€? Yes, please!). Whether you’re looking for pots, platters, clocks, or even cute little salt-and-pepper shakers, they just have it.

And they’ll make sure to package everything carefully so it survives the trip back home…

Shawls

There’s something really special about a beautifully embroidered shawl, right?

In Spain, we have these gorgeous ones called mantones de Manila. Funny enough, they get their name from a port in the Philippines, even though they were actually made in China. They first got really popular in Southern Spain, especially with flamenco dancers. Back then, people even wore them in everyday life.

These days, though, you’ll mostly see them at formal events or in flamenco performances, they’re not part of everyday fashion anymore.

The best place in Madrid to look for a mantón is Borca (Calle del Marqués Viudo de Pontejos, 2)

But if you think an embroidered mantón is a bit too fancy, don’t worry.

While you’re at the Rastro market, you can grab some lightweight shawls that are more like pashminas. They’re super affordable and make great gifts. They might not be made in Spain, but trust me, your friends back home will still love them!

A bottle of Spanish wine

Wine makes a wonderful present at Christmas time. With so many typical Spanish wines available, why not give your present a unique twist by purchasing one of the country’s specialties?

The best option is Lavinia (Calle Ortega y Gasset, 16), a large well lit contemporary store with about every name in Spanish wine you could imagine arranged mostly geographically

Alternatively, head to Bodega de Santa Cecilia (Calle Blasco de Garay, 74) where you can choose from dozens of different wine denominations.

Or go to Los Rosales (Calle Echegaray, 17) where you’ll find some hidden gems to add a Spanish flavor to your festive celebrations.

A Real Madrid shirt

Are your loved ones die-hard football fans? Then, you need to make sure to bring them original football merch from Madrid.

And it won’t be difficult to find the perfect shops for that!

There are several official Real Madrid shops in the city center where you can find all kinds of sportswear and accessories from Real Madrid:

The biggest Real Madrid store is located at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium (Calle del Padre Damián, 3).
There’s one in Calle del Carmen, 3.
Another one in Calle Gran Vía, 31.
And finally in Calle Arenal, 6.

A bottle of Spanish olive oil

The Romans considered olive oil ‘a liquid gold’ and a bottle of Spain’s favorite food accompaniment is a great Christmas present. With so many different varieties available, it’s best to head to a specialized market stall or shop to find top quality local produce.

My recommendations?

Oleoteca Gourmet La Chinata (Calle Mayor, 44; Calle de Gravina, 19 and Calle de Hermosilla, 88) has a huge selection of olive oils and is run by local experts who are happy to talk you through each variety.

Alternatively, you can always go to

La Casa del Aceite (Calle de Hermosilla, 83).
El Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience (Plaza de Callao, 2).
La Comunal (Calle de Mejía Lequerica, 1).
Oliva Oliva (Calle de Pechuán, 12).

Christmas lottery

The Spanish Christmas Lottery is one of the world’s largest lottery draws. With a payout of several billion euros, we usually refer to the biggest prize to El Gordo (the Big One).

It dates back to the 18th century, when King Carlos III brought the idea from Naples, and it has been celebrated every year since 1812, even through the Spanish Civil War. So as you can imagine, Christmas lottery is extremely popular and a typical present among Spaniards.

It can be a very original present for a relative or a friend, but most importantly, it will be a wonderful excuse to go back to Madrid: to collect the prize after the draw on December 22nd!

You buy a ticket pretty much everywhere, you only need to look for an administración de loterías.

However, some Lottery offices in Madrid are extremely famous for having sold the El Gordo top prize in the past and now, during the holidays, people wait for hours to buy their Christmas ticket there. This is the case with Doña Manolita’s lottery office located on Calle del Carmen, 22.

An abanico

There’s no better way to cool down than by flicking out your fan and doing the job yourself. Fans (abanicos in Spanish) have long been a staple Spanish accessory, and many Spanish women continue to use them today.

Madrid’s Casa del Diego (Puerta del Sol, 12 and Calle Mesoneros Romanos, 4) has been making beautiful handmade fans since 1823 in all sorts of different colors and patterns.

Alternatively, you can go to

La Favorita (Plaza Mayor, 25).
Almacén de Pontejos (Calle del Correo, 4).
Olivier Bernoux (Calle de Fernando VI, 2).

This article is part of a complete tutorial about Christmas in Madrid where you can read all the information you need to enjoy the best Christmas holidays in Madrid.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. Spend an unforgettable Christmas in Madrid
2. 11 things to do in Madrid for Christmas
3. 12 awesome things to do on New Year’s Eve in Madrid
4. How to celebrate Three Kings’ Day in Madrid
5. The best Christmas markets in Madrid
6. 10 unique Christmas present ideas from Madrid
7. My favorite 5 Spanish Christmas sweets in Madrid
8. Enjoy the Madrid Christmas lights walk

10 unique Christmas present ideas from Madrid