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Today is the feast of Saint Thomas and Christmas is just around the corner, along with the time to wish your family and friends a Merry Christmas. For some time, new technology has made a mark in this area and has provided us several resources to send best wishes online with a Basque touch.  Here are some of them: 

Donostia-San Sebastian. Wishing people a Merry Christmas has changed a lot with the arrival of new technologies that today provide a multitude of resources online for Christmas.  The online Basque community hasn’t been left out and year after year, continues to create new apps and online greeting cards in Basque or with Basque characters.

The Euskal Apps, site for example, has gathered several (as well as a number of apps “Made in the Basque Country):

-ZoriON: an application that allows you to create personalized Christmas cards with characters like the Olentzero and Mari Dominigi, Argitxo, Ttantto, Txirritx y Xango, trikitilaris...You can also include your personal photos in the background.  Platform: Android.  You can download it here.

-Gabon Kantak: Basque Christmas carols.  This provides you the opportunity to hear the songs and also includes lyrics, to have them at hand in one click.  Platform: Android.  Download here.

-Olentzeroren gutuna: Imagine your kids face when they receive an answer to their letter written by Olentzero himself! This app allows you to write it. Platform: Android. Download here.

-Olentzero: another app to write to the famous coal maker.  Platorm: iOS. Get it here

-Olentzerori gutuna: Another letter to the Olentzero where children can also include singing.  Platform: Android. Download here

Online Christmas Cards

On the other hand, another sought after resource are online Christmas cards that can be easily sent at the last minute.  Here is a list that we have gathered every year (if you know of others, please let us know at: info@euskalkultura.com so we can include them):

-Ikasbil: Site for Basque studnets at HABE provides a large range of card classified in various categories including love Maitasunezkoak , congratulations Zoriontzekoak, and Christmas Gabonetakoak.  Many cards are animated and a large number are very funny and all are in Basque.

-Kukuxumusu: The company in Navarre, known around the world for its modern and colorful images, provides a selection of cards especially designed for celebrations, but as always, with a touch of irreverent humor.  There are characters like the Olentzero, Mari Christmas, Merri Toro, and others.

-www.manycomics.com: varied themes, like Christmas presents, 12 grapes, Zorionak…

-Postalak.com: a site in Basque with all kinds of cards including various Christmas ones.  An address to keep all year.

-Pirritx eta Porrotx: Cards that the children in the house love.  On their website there is also a game Zu ere pailazo that allows a picture to be uploaded and personalized with wigs, moustaches, and glasses like Pirritx, Porrotx, or Marimotots.  You can also add text to the card, and even print it to send it via snail mail, or email.

-BiscayTIK: The Foundation supported by the Bizkaian Provincial Government provides an array of Christmas cards.  In order to send them all you have to do is register on BiscayTIK’s website.

-Zernola.net: Varied cards, that are not directly related to Christmas but can be used just the same.