The holiday season is one of the most magical, and teachable, times of the year. With celebrations happening around the world, December and January give Spanish learners the perfect opportunity to explore culture, language, and traditions through meaningful, story-based immersion. The problem? This is also one of the busiest times of the year and teacher burnout starts to really kick into high gear. Luckily for you, Calico Spanish has solutions to help save you time and keep students engaged in high-quality instruction.

This year, Calico Spanish is excited to highlight two holiday Calico Comics. Both holiday Calico Comics are paired with vocabulary support, teacher notes, and ACTFL-aligned outcomes.

These comics are included in our outstanding curriculum subscription, but you can also purchase these comics separately on our Teachers Pay Teachers store if you aren’t ready to fully commit to our 365 ready-to-teach lesson plans.

Ringing in the New Year with Las doce uvas de la medianoche

Every culture has its own way of welcoming the New Year, but few are as fun (or as delicious!) as Spain’s beloved tradition of las doce uvas, the twelve lucky grapes eaten at midnight. Our holiday Calico Comic, Las doce uvas de la medianoche, invites learners to experience this celebration right alongside Pepe and his family as they join the countdown in Madrid’s famous Puerta del Sol.

This beautifully illustrated comic blends authentic cultural storytelling, beginner-friendly Spanish, and engaging visuals, making it a perfect seasonal resource for families, teachers, and young language learners.

The Student Pack includes vocabulary highlights (like la campana, la Real Casa de Correos, uvas, familia, suerte) and reading comprehension questions to support novice readers. To help make this tradition come to life in your classroom, learners will have the opportunity to write 12 wishes they want to come true in the new year.

This Calico Comic is included in our Calico Spanish curriculum subscription for all subscribers. Log into your account and then, click here to access the comic, and here to access the resource pack for learners.

Los Tres Reyes Magos: A Celebration of Giving and Joy

After New Year’s celebrations, there’s still magic in the air! On January 6th, children across Spain and Latin America wake up to find gifts left by Los Tres Reyes Magos — Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar.

In this holiday Calico Comic “Los Tres Reyes Magos,” learners follow Andrés, Ofelia, and César as they write letters to los tres reyes magos, fill envelopes, and wait eagerly for January 6th to arrive. When the day finally comes, they wake up and rush to find if their wishes have been granted.

In the student activity pack, learners will have an opportunity to write their own wish list to los tres reyes magos, just like the Calico Comic characters.The activity pack also provides an opportunity for learners to compare and contrast cultural practices between Christmas and Three Kings Day.

This Calico Comic is included in our Calico Spanish curriculum subscription for all subscribers. Log into your account and then, click here to access the comic, and here to access the resource pack for learners.

Make The Holidays Magical with Calico Spanish

Pair the Los Tres Reyes Magos and Las doce uvas de la medianoche holiday Calico comics to create a multi-week cultural unit that bridges New Year’s Eve and Three Kings Day. Together, they offer learners a joyful introduction to Spanish-speaking cultures through storytelling, creativity, and community.

Stories like Las doce uvas de la medianoche and Los Tres Reyes Magos are just a glimpse of what’s possible when children learn Spanish through joy, connection, and culture. With every comic, song, and game, learners don’t just memorize words, they acquire the language through meaningful stories that build confidence and curiosity.

When you join the Calico Spanish community, you unlock:

• Dozens of story-based videos that deliver comprehensible input through lovable characters.

• Printable comics, activity packs, and flashcards that make learning hands-on and fun.

• Interactive songs and games to reinforce vocabulary through play.

• Teacher guides that simplify planning and help you teach with confidence.

• Cultural connections that open your learners’ hearts to the Spanish-speaking world.

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, co-op leader, or a classroom teacher, Calico Spanish gives you the tools and flexibility to make every moment of Spanish learning engaging, natural, and effective with no prior Spanish experience required.

Start your Calico Spanish subscription today and bring the magic of language and culture into your home or classroom, not just for the holidays, but all year long.