Every year it’s the same story: December arrives and the family negotiations begin. “So where are we having Christmas lunch this year?” Someone always ends up cooking for twenty in a tiny kitchen, there are never enough chairs, the kids have nowhere to play and the after-lunch chat is cut short because everyone has to head home.
That’s why more and more families are choosing to spend Christmas in a rural house. Nobody has to play host, there’s room for everyone and the holidays are lived the way they should be: together and unhurried. At Cal Xolva, in Llardecans, in the heart of the Segrià, you can bring grandparents, parents and grandchildren together under one roof.
Why spend Christmas in a rural house
- Room for everyone: no splitting up between houses or sleeping on the sofa.
- A kitchen for cooking together, because traditional Catalan Christmas dishes taste better when the whole family makes them.
- A big dining room, where the whole Christmas table fits at once.
- Village calm, far from the noise of holiday shopping and traffic.
Christmas and Boxing Day lunch, shared by everyone
One approach that works really well is taking turns: one team handles Christmas lunch and the other takes care of Boxing Day (Sant Esteve). On the 25th, escudella i carn d’olla (the traditional Catalan Christmas stew); on the 26th, canelons made with the meat from the day before. Pure tradition, and nobody spends the whole holiday in the kitchen.
For your shopping, make the most of local Ponent produce: new olive oil from Les Garrigues, nuts, cured meats and local wines. And for dessert, torrons (nougat) and neules (wafer rolls), of course.
Activities for kids at Christmas
Little ones enjoy a village Christmas the most. There’s space to run around, things to discover and much more calm than in the city.
- Making the tió “poop” all together on Christmas Eve (a much-loved Catalan tradition).
- Building the nativity scene with moss, stones and twigs gathered in the countryside.
- Short walks along paths lined with olive and almond trees.
- A starry night: wrap up warm and head out to the terrace to find constellations (here are some ideas).
- Afternoons of board games and Christmas crafts.
What to do on the holidays
Between meals, it’s worth getting out a bit. Lleida is about 30 minutes away and has a festive atmosphere in the centre. If the weather is good, a trip to Siurana is a great way to stretch your legs before Boxing Day lunch. And in the village itself, the Tomàs Piñol Pharmacy is a surprise for young and old alike.
Frequently asked questions
How many nights do people usually book for Christmas?
The most common option is to arrive on the 24th and leave on the 26th or 27th, so you can enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day without rushing.
Can we bring our own food and cook ourselves?
Yes. You have the whole house to yourselves, with a kitchen and dining room to prepare your Christmas meals.
This Christmas, spend it at Cal Xolva. Take a look at our rooms and spaces and rates, and write to us to check whether your dates are available.
