Ever wonder what a Puerto Rican Christmas (and really just a Caribbean Christmas overall) is all about? We don’t have snow, so how can Santa ride a sled? It’s always very hot weather so… why would we have a chimney for Santa to come down on? As a result, the children don’t believe in Santa. We know it’s our parents we have to beg for toys, not just hope they will magically appear out of nowhere on Dec. 25th. The Christmas traditions of the Caribbean islands are very different from that which we experience in the United States. Personally, I do not remember having a better Christmas since the Christmas of 1992. The last Christmas I spent in my beloved Dominican Republic before coming to America.
So for all you Chayanne fans, who are wondering what your idol will be spending his Christmas here it is. Feel free to close your eyes and imagine yourselves in our tropical paradise.
Christmas celebrations begin early in December. However, the most important celebratory days are Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), Navidad (Christmas day), Despedida de Año (New Years Eve) and Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day, Jan. 6).
Out of all the traditions, this is my favorite of all: El Aguinaldo. Aguinaldos are the equivalent of Christmas Caroling… with a little… Flavor and rhythm. They are amazing! A group of friends, most of which play an instrument (mostly tamboras, güiros, mini accordions, maracas and guitars) all gather together and stop at a friend’s house to surprise them and begin playing and singing for everyone’s enjoyment. The surprise usually occurs at night, while everyone is sleeping and not expecting it. After the song is done, others will join and the party continues to another house… until dawn. It’s a great time! Below is my favorite Aguinaldo:
As with most traditions worldwide, food is a big part. The largest dinner occurs on Christmas Eve. Both women and man slave in the kitchen for the dinner on Noche Buena. Food includes the famous lechon asado (a roasted pig cooked on a pit), arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), arroz con dulce (rice pudding), templeque (coconut pudding) and coquitos (coconut-rum beverages).
Arroz con Gandules
Arroz con Dulce
Coquitos
Lechon Asado
Tembleque
The most important thing not to forget is to party. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ and it’s a big long month birthday party. If ever once, you can spend Christmas in the Caribbean… do it! :-)
And now you know what Chayanne will be experiencing during his time off at home with his family.
What are YOUR Christmas traditions?
Great post. Thank you for so many informations. Traditions in my country (Czech Republic) are also different from USA. We celebrate Stedry vecer (24th December - Christmas Eve). That´s the most important day. In the evening we sit around big table and we eat fish soup, fried carp with potato salad. After this the children are going to another room, where isn´t the christmas tree and they are expecting Baby Jesus to give the gift under the tree.
ReplyDeleteWe also have another customs like throwing shoe (to know if you will stay next year at home), or putting wax into the water to discover your future. We also celebrate the 25th and the 26th of December - they are days to visit our families. And of course New Year Eve - night with a lot of fun and fireworks.
Can say that the food looks amazing!In our home, we wait to do all of our decorating until Christmas Eve. There will be cookies and candies, and major soul food!(No fruitcake in my house. No offense but that stuff is gross! LOL) Wonderful article, I'm loving the thought of Christmas in the Caribbean!
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing Kris!!!
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