Christmas, a time of sharing.

Christmas is synonymous with celebration, music, good food, gifts, traditions, sharing, love and peace. It’s the time of year that both longs to be reunited with family and friends to show them through a bonus, a card or an embrace how much you love them.

The crib, the tree, the table full of plates of food, gifts under the tree, lights in every window and an excuse to have a party every day is what characterizes this month in almost all Latin cultures.

Each country and region has its own way of celebrating, customs that have come down from generation to generation and which over the years are impregnated more families. That’s why today we wanted to make a recount of some Christmas traditions that take place in some Latin American countries.

–          lights and wreaths on doors and windows: the houses begin to be decorated inside and outside days before beginning the month of December. The decor is a plan for the entire family, all strive to put ornaments on doors, windows, balconies, and even in the garden. The tree is assembled from late November, different from the Anglo-Saxon culture that only assembles the week of Christmas. The crib is another Christmas symbols that must be present in homes, as almost all countries practice Catholicism.

–          Special dates: it is normal for Christmas Latinos make plans for every day, important dates in the month that stand out above the others, for example in Colombia on December 7 is the Night of candles in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate. Hence families comprise candles at the gate of their homes, but are also an excuse to get together with family and friends.

–          The Christmas novenas: 16 is the day they start novenas to the Infant Jesus, families often gather around the manger to pray for 9 days until the evening of 24. These days caroling, custard dishes like spread, chips, donuts, shortbread, among others.

 –          The 24: is the most awaited night of all, the arrival of Baby Jesus is celebrated at 12 pm everyone, especially children, receive their “brought”. Families gather at the table to share a meal, and in many homes gifts called “bonuses” are divided.

 –          The 31 or so year: 31 in turn is the most emotional time because it ends the year. In some households are carried out as omens of the 12 grapes to ask good wishes, flip the block at 12 pm with a suitcase for travel much the coming year; but what characterizes tonight is the embrace of “Happy New Year” that exist between all when the clock strikes twelve strokes, to give thanks, give good wishes and blessings.

–          The traditional foods: a party without food is not party, and the most representative, christmas dishes are donuts, sour cream, chips, blancmange, pork, suckling pig in Colombia, sweet milky Hallacas in Venezuela, tamales and punch in Mexico, Peru’s panetón hot chocolate, in Costa Rica the tamale, cake and corn oil are inevitable, and roast pork or turkey have also become habits. The dining tables are full of different dishes to cook together.

 –          The rumbas and the party: at Christmas any reason is an excuse to celebrate, to meet with the people you invite them to a glass of wine, some good passes Christmas mouths, and even organize a group outing to explore the Christmas lights of the most representative cities in each country. After the night of 24 and 31 is also customary for the family to get together for lunch together.

 –          The bonuses: the day of the bonuses is 16 but many families have chosen to deliver on the night of 24, where the Christmas tree is surrounded by gifts. It’s a way to show your loved ones love, gratitude and admiration you have them.