This is quite an interesting phenomenon. The funny little exterior decoration on the left represents the Magi from the traditional nativity story; the "we three kings from Orient are" (as a kid I wondered where Orientare was, but that's another story). They were climbing into every other window in Spain this Christmas, though I've never seen them in previous years. The Chinese-run emporia that sell all kinds of cheap junk were full of them.The fascinating bit is that Spain is in the grip of a generational battle between the Kings, who traditionally bring presents for good children on January 6th, and the recent US import and Coca Cola spokesperson Santa Claus, who is meant to bring gifts during the small hours of 25th December. Retailers and the ad industry naturally want the Spanish nation to embrace both and give twice as many gifts, but hard-pressed families may have to make a choice and go for one or the other. Last year the balcony adornment of choice was Santa climbing up a rope-ladder. This year the Spaniards, with the help of the Chinese tat-vendors, have amalgamated traditions so that we get the Kings climbing Santa-style, rather than turning up on camels. (If you were a wise old king from Orientare, would you suffer the gross indignity of climbing a rope-ladder to break into someone's flat, with passers-by looking up your cassock? No, neither would I.) It'll be interesting to see if this one sticks - the Christmas story changed forever by cheap decorations.
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