Christmas

The posadas held during the Christmas season (16–24 December) are another favorite time of celebration. During these nightly parties, families reenact the night when Mary and Joseph searched for lodging (posada). The hosts act as innkeepers while their guests act as lost pilgrims seeking shelter. The tradition holds that guests are initially turned away until a pregnant Mary—a woman dressed as the Virgin or a statue of her—is recognized in the crowd. All are then invited into the home to pray and celebrate with song, dance, and food, as well as piñatas for the children.

ProQuest. (2022). Mexico: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=102&cn=Mexico&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Generally, religious holidays are not officially recognized but may be celebrated with feasts and religious services. Christmas Day (25 December) is an exception; it became a national holiday in 1998, after Pope John Paul II's visit to the island (in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Cuba similarly motivated the declaration of Good Friday as a holiday). Celebrations on Christmas Eve include a special family dinner, which generally consists of roasted pork, cassava with broth, black and white rice,... Many people attend Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, families gather around the Christmas tree to open presents, mainly for the children in the family.

ProQuest. (2022). Cuba: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=40&cn=Cuba&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas Season

Christmas is Puerto Rico's biggest holiday, and the season, which begins the day after Thanksgiving, lasts a full six weeks. Celebrations include traditional feasts, festivals, and aguinaldos (Puerto Rican Christmas music). Streets and houses are adorned with lights and other decorations. An important part of the Christmas season is the parrandas, when groups of friends sing Christmas songs door to door. After they sing, the groups are usually given food and drinks in return for this entertainment, and the person caroled to may join the group at the next house or return the favor later in the season. 

Christmas Eve is the peak of the holiday. On this night, families gather for a traditional meal that usually includes lechón asado (roast pork), arroz con gandules (rice with peas), plátanos (plantains), and pasteles (a dough made in part with green bananas and plantains, then steamed in banana leaves). Festivities last well into the night. Catholics may attend a special midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, families rest from the night before, and children (and sometimes other family members) often open the gifts left by Santa Claus.

New Year's is celebrated as part of the Christmas season. On New Year's Eve, people clean their houses and dress in new clothes before gathering with friends. It is traditional to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one grape for each chime of the clock. People welcome the new year with hugs, car horns, and firecrackers.

On the Day of the Three Kings (6 January), children wake up to find presents left for them by the kings. The eight days following this holiday, called Octavas, were once mainly religious in nature but today tend to be a time for people to return parrandas they received or visit friends generally. On 14 January, most families take down their Christmas decorations and the season ends.    

ProQuest. (2022). Puerto Rico: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=129&cn=Puerto_Rico&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas Season

Before Christmas, families decorate their homes with Christmas trees, nativity scenes, and depictions of Santa Claus. Dominicans living outside the country often return to be with their families for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, families have a special dinner, which may include pasteles en hoja (beef- or chicken-filled squares of plantain paste wrapped in green plantain leaves and boiled), puerco asado (roasted pork), arroz con guandules (rice with pigeon peas), potato salad, dates, fruit, nougat, and candy. Many people attend Midnight Mass (called misa del gallo).

Gift exchanges were traditionally reserved for Día de los Reyes, but today many people also exchange gifts at Christmas. Santa Claus brings presents for many children on Christmas Eve; other children are given gifts in the name of baby Jesus instead of Santa Claus.

Día de los Reyes continues to be the most important day for gift exchanges of the holiday season and is associated with the Three Wise Men from the Biblical nativity story. Children receive presents from their parents, grandparents, and godparents. Rum and cigarettes are left out overnight for the Three Wise Men, and water and grass are left for their camels.

ProQuest. (2022). Dominican Republic: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=44&cn=Dominican_Republic&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Equatoguineans celebrate Christmas by spending time with family and organizing parties with lots of food and dancing. Many families decorate a plastic Christmas tree with lights and shiny balls. Children are given two weeks off of school, returning after Reyes Magos (Catholic celebration of the Three Wise Men).      

ProQuest. (2022). Equatorial Guinea: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=49&cn=Equatorial_Guinea&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

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Christmas

Christmas

Christmas is the biggest holiday in Costa Rica and is generally celebrated with family. Families typically decorate evergreen trees—usually fake ones—and display them on their front porches for all to see. Other common decorations include poinsettias and Christmas lights. In preparation for Christmas Eve dinner, the women in a family gather to make hundreds of tamales. These are also shared with neighbors. Many families raise a pig all year to butcher just before Christmas so they will have fresh meat for the tamales. Families also exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. Children may be told that some of their gifts were brought by el niñito dios (the child god), by the Three Kings, or by Santa Claus. Christmas itself is a quiet day spent at home with immediate family.

ProQuest. (2022). Costa Rica: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=38&cn=Costa_Rica&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

On Christmas Eve, families attend Mass or other religious services in the afternoon or early evening. At midnight, a traditional dinner of tamales (cornmeal dough stuffed with a filling) or pan con pavo (turkey sandwiches) is eaten and presents are exchanged. People set off fireworks they have purchased from stands in the weeks before. Family members celebrate and talk into the early morning hours. Friends may also visit each other or attend dance parties at discos or community centers. Christmas Day is typically spent relaxing at home and perhaps attending religious services.

ProQuest. (2022). El Salvador: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=47&cn=El_Salvador&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

In Guatemala, Christmas is primarily celebrated by Christians. The Christmas season begins 7 December with la quema del diablo (the burning of the devil), when people clean their homes and burn garbage outside to ceremonially cleanse their homes of evil in preparation to receive Christ. On Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), families set off firecrackers at midnight and then eat a large meal of tamalitos (cornmeal dough wrapped in corn husks and steamed) and hot ponche (a spiced fruit punch). In small towns, people may go from house to house after midnight, giving well-wishes and embraces.

ProQuest. (2022). Guatemala: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=65&cn=Guatemala&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas

The Christmas season is widely celebrated. In preparation, people decorate their houses with trees (usually plastic), lights, and other items. Constructing nativity scenes is a popular Christmas tradition. Since money is scarce, the scenes are made from scratch each year with clay figures and other natural resources. Many organizations set up cuchumbos, parties to which people bring gifts that are exchanged according to names written on small pieces of paper and selected at random. Employees typically receive a year-end bonus that helps them pay for Christmas-related expenses.

Large family parties are organized at which common traditional foods such as nacatamales (corn dough stuffed with pork and vegetables) and torrejas (a dessert similar to french toast) are served. Traditionally, children played with firecrackers during the Christmas season, though in recent years laws regarding their use have grown stricter out of concerns for safety. Among adults, heavy drinking typically accompanies this holiday. On Christmas Eve, families gather for dinner, which is served late. Gifts are exchanged during or after dinner—usually around midnight.

ProQuest. (2022). Honduras: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=70&cn=Honduras&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas 

Christmas

Christmas is a time of nationwide celebration, complete with parties, decorative lights, special food (including a Christmas hen), and the exchanging of presents. Fireworks are commonly set off in the street to celebrate this holiday.

ProQuest. (2022). Nicaragua: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=113&cn=Nicaragua&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Most Panamanians decorate elaborately for Christmas. Nativity scenes, large wreaths on doors, and colorful decorations in front of houses are common. Many school activities revolve around Christmas during this season, and shops are full of customers looking for Christmas gifts. On Christmas Eve, families gather for a feast that usually includes guandu (garbanzo beans) and rice and attend a midnight Christmas mass. Santa Claus, who is less commonly referred to as Papá Noel, delivers presents under a decorated tree, and families exchange gifts at midnight. Christmas Day itself is spent relaxing with family and eating.

ProQuest. (2022). Panama: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=122&cn=Panama&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas is often celebrated with large family gatherings. On Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), the extended family gathers for dinner, music, and often dancing. Candy is served just before midnight, when fireworks displays begin. Gifts from Papá Noel(Father Christmas) are opened on Christmas Eve, while all other gifts are exchanged on Christmas Day. After opening gifts and making a midnight toast, young people usually go out dancing with friends. After the main meal on Christmas Day (lunch or dinner, depending on the family), people go out to visit friends and more distant relatives.

ProQuest. (2022). Argentina: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=6&cn=Argentina&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

On Christmas Eve (24 December), some children place their old shoes in a window for Papá Noel (Santa Claus) to take in exchange for new gifts. Children also receive gifts on Three Kings' Day (6 January). Almost every pueblo (village) has unique fiestas (parties) in honor of its patron saint or the Virgin Mary. These local events are noted for their music and colorful costumes.

ProQuest. (2022). Bolivia: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=22&cn=Bolivia&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas 

Christmas is celebrated with Christmas trees and Santa Claus, but some activities are different because Christmas takes place during summer in Chile. Families often hold outdoor asados (barbecues) the day before and open their gifts at midnight. Although Christmas is a family holiday, Chileans consider New Year's the most important time for family gatherings, typically including a large meal symbolizing an abundant start to the new year. The holiday is also celebrated with fireworks displays; other traditions include eating 12 grapes (symbolizing the 12 months of the year) for good luck while counting down to midnight, when three spoonfuls of lentils representing love, health, and wealth in the coming year are eaten.

ProQuest. (2022). Chile: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=33&cn=Chile&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas is another important time of year. If time and finances permit, those who live away from their relatives travel to be with them for the holiday. Streets and houses are decorated with colorful lights, and homes feature Christmas trees and pesebres (nativity scenes). The nine nights before Christmas are called la novena, when family and friends gather to take part in traditional Christmas prayers, sing carols, and eat customary Christmas snacks such as natilla (similar to flan) and buñuelos (fried dough balls). Each night the novena is celebrated in a different home, and these events often turn into parties that include drinking and dancing. On Christmas Eve, families eat a large dinner, pray around the pesebre, and sing Christmas carols. At midnight, they exchange presents. Children receive gifts such as dolls, bicycles, and soccer balls from the Baby Jesus, Papá Noel (Santa Claus), or both. Dancing and partying follow.

ProQuest. (2022). Colombia: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=35&cn=Colombia&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Communities celebrate Christmas and Easter with reenactments of religious events. A traditional Christmas practice is to set up a pesebre, or nativity scene, with small ceramic figures on real moss. Most Ecuadorians also decorate a Christmas tree. Families gather for a large meal, commonly including a baked turkey, on Christmas Eve. At midnight, all the family opens their presents. Children usually go to bed very late.

ProQuest. (2022). Ecuador: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=45&cn=Ecuador&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Holidays

Paraguayans celebrate New Year's Day (1 January), Epiphany (6 January), Carnaval (a week of parades and parties in February), Heroes' Day (1 March), Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter), Labor Day (1 May), Independence Day (14–15 May), Mother's Day (15 May), the Chaco Armistice (12 June), Día de la Amistad (Friendship Day, 30 July), Founding of Asunción City (15 August, celebrated with large parades), Día de los Niños (Children's Day, 16 August), Constitution Day (25 August), Victory of Boquerón (29 September), Columbus Day (12 October), All Saints' Day (1 November), Virgin of Caacupé (8 December), and Christmas. Semana Santa is the most important holiday period and is a week for family gatherings.

ProQuest. (2022). Paraguay: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=124&cn=Paraguay&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas 

Christmas is the most popular holiday in Peru. Houses in many neighborhoods are adorned with lights and decorations featuring Santa Claus, reindeer, and elves. Families gather on 24 December for a late dinner-sometimes as late as midnight-and then exchange presents. Kids may shoot off fireworks after opening their gifts. Christmas Day may be celebrated with a trip to the beach among those who live near the coast.

ProQuest. (2022). Peru: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=125&cn=Peru&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

During the Christmas season, store windows display decorated Christmas trees covered with artificial snow, which contrast with the hot summer weather and crowded beaches outside. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are celebrated with fireworks and large family parties. On 5 January, the day before Three Kings' Day, children lay out their shoes so that the three kings can fill them with presents during the night. Some also provide water and grass for the kings' camels. Children spend the next day enjoying their gifts.

ProQuest. (2022). Uruguay: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=170&cn=Uruguay&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

In some areas of the country, a popular Christmas tradition is La Paradura del Niño, in which a baby Jesus figure is placed on a large silk handkerchief and carried in a procession throughout the town. Members of the procession stop at neighbors’ houses to sing aguinaldos (traditional Christmas songs) and enjoy refreshments. On Christmas Eve, extended families gather for an elaborate dinner, and people often attend Mass. At midnight, people place a baby Jesus figurine in their pesebre (nativity scene) to represent his birth.

On 6 January, children receive presents from the Three Kings (called Los Reyes Magos), which they open at midnight. In the Andes region of the country, on New Year’s Eve, a figure representing the old year (such as an unpopular politician) is made with old clothes and burned to usher in the new year.

ProQuest. (2022). Venezuela: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=172&cn=Venezuela&sname=Holidays&snid=16.

Christmas

Christmas is the most celebrated holiday. The Christmas season extends through 6 January (Three Kings Day) and is a time of family parties and great merriment. Most Filipinos working overseas come home during this season, and people commonly visit their hometowns to attend family or school reunions. People begin decorating for Christmas and listening to Christmas music as early as September. Families in both urban and rural settings buy and decorate artificial Christmas trees. Although Christmas shopping begins early in urban areas, it is limited in rural areas, as people tend to limit their gift giving, preferring instead to simply spend time with family and neighbors. Christmas parties are organized at work and school, and friends usually have lunch or dinner parties in the weeks before Christmas.

Catholics attend a series of Christmas Masses called Simbang Gabi, held from 16 December to Christmas Eve. Mass is held at dawn each morning. Many Catholics believe that if one faithfully attends Simbang Gabi, a wish will be granted. From the beginning of Simbang Gabi until Christmas Eve, children in many areas go door to door singing carols and receiving money and sweets. On Christmas Eve, known as Noche Buena (which means “good night” in Spanish), urban families gather to exchange gifts and enjoy a large feast featuring pork, beef stew, casseroles, and traditional desserts such as leche flan (caramel custard) and coconut salad. Rural Filipinos also enjoy a large meal, but exchanging gifts is less common. 

ProQuest. (2022). Philippines: Holidays. CultureGrams Online Edition. Retrieved from https://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=126&cn=Philippines&sname=Holidays&snid=16.