The holidays are a big deal in the United States. You see the malls and restaurants decorated with Christmas trees and lights. Your neighbors are having a yard decoration battle to see who can have the most inflatables. Even the streetlamps have glowing reindeer attached to them.  Your family probably has some great Christmas traditions, but have you ever wondered what people in Latin American countries do for the holidays? It is important to understand other cultures. Let’s break it down by country and learn about some unique traditions. 

Argentina

The weather is warm here during the holidays. Late November and early December is when the Christmas preparations begin in addition to the Advent season for the many Argentinian Christians. Decorations consist of red and white garlands and flowers, as well as wreaths and lights on homes. Christmas trees are very popular. Argentinians may be enjoying the warmth, but they are dreaming of a white Christmas by placing cotton balls on their trees to look like snow. There is also usually a nativity scene near the tree. Trees are usually put up by December 8th, the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Gifts are usually only exchanged between close friends and relatives, making Christmas more intimate. Another big difference is that the main celebrations are on Christmas Eve, which is actually very common in Latin America. The main meal is eaten at around 10 pm, the usual time for Argentinian dinner. Turkey is popular, but so is goat and stuffed tomatoes. Fireworks are shot off at midnight on Christmas Eve, and floating lanterns with lights inside are released into the sky. 

Bolivia

Like Argentina, Bolivians celebrate most Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve and many Bolivians attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve called the mass of the rooster. Other people let off firecrackers at midnight. Festivities continue throughout Epiphany, a 12-day event celebrated by many Christians which culminates on Three Kings Day. 

Families usually eat their main Christmas meal after the midnight mass. The traditional meal is a stew along with potatoes, corn and tropical fruit. Gift giving may take place after the meal, but it is not very common. Christmas trees are not very popular in Bolivia, but nativity scenes are very common. In some rural parts of Bolivia, Christmas is treated as just another working day. Throughout Bolivia, there is a government law that employees be paid at least twice as much as their normal salary during the month of December. 

Brazil

Nativity scenes are also very common in Brazil. In the big cities, trees made of micro lights are lit up on Christmas Eve, along with a large fireworks display, after the mass of the rooster. Many people attend this mass, and perhaps another mass on Christmas afternoon. Epiphany is also widely celebrated. 

Christmas time is very hot in Brazil. Some people even go to the beach on Christmas Day! Despite the heat, many customs are the same as in the United States, such as leaving out stockings for Santa. Secret Santa is also very popular. Much like Bolivia, employees in Brazil commonly receive double their salary for the month of December. The Christmas meal happens around 10pm on Christmas Eve, consisting of foods familiar in the U.S. but with additions such as rice cooked with raisins. 

Chile

Like many other Latin American countries, it is the middle of summer in Chile when the holidays roll around, but warmer weather won’t stop Chileans from enjoying Christmas and the Advent season. Many people attend mass for 9 days before Christmas, which is called a Novena.  

Lights and Christmas trees adorn the homes of most Chileans, as well as nativity scenes with clay figures. Christmas Eve is the most important day of the season, with a big meal being served about 9 or 10pm. Barbeque is a common dish, along with Monkey’s Tail, a traditional Chilean Christmas coffee drink. Some people attend mass after the meal. 

At midnight, everyone opens their presents, and children often visit one another’s homes right after to show off their new toys. Christmas Day is a day to relax and maybe even take a trip to the beach. 

Costa Rica

Around the same time as the holidays, school ends in Costa Rica, making it a very exciting time of year. Many Costa Ricans decorate their homes with tropical flowers, fruits and lights. Nativity scenes, which the whole family makes together, are displayed as the center of attention. Wreaths are made from cypress branches with red coffee berries and ribbons. Apples are also very popular around the holidays, and many apple stands open up shop in December. 

On Christmas Eve, lots of Costa Ricans attend the mass of the rooster followed by a large meal, which often consists of chicken and pork tamales wrapped in plantain leaves. All throughout December and into January, there are parades, rodeos, bull runs and festivals. 

Guatemala

Like many other Latin American countries, families in Guatemala build a nativity scene together. However, due to the large indigenous influence in Guatemala, the scenes typically have an indigenous flair, with many bright colors and dyed sawdust. Christmas Eve is when the main meal is eaten with Guatemalan tamales. At midnight, fireworks are lit, a prayer is said around the tree, and then it’s time to open gifts! 

Mexico

Christmas is celebrated in Mexico from December 12th through January 6th. Starting December 16th, “Las Posadas” are celebrated. Nine houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns, and children parade around them in the way that Mary and Joseph searched for a place to stay. Finally, one house lets them in and they celebrate with food, fireworks and games, including piñatas. This event continues each night until the final “Posada” house is chosen on Christmas Eve. Lots of Mexicans will then go to mass and celebrate with more fireworks afterwards.

Christmas trees are becoming more popular in Mexico, but the main decoration is still the nativity scene. Rather than the families making them each year, the figures are passed down through the family and are often life size! Children may receive gifts on Christmas Eve or on the Epiphany. During this time, Three Kings Cake, which contains a tiny figurine of the baby Jesus hidden inside, is eaten.

Puerto Rico

The most important thing during the holidays in Puerto Rico is music. Carolers go around to houses and sing, and lots of Puerto Ricans go out and join them when the carolers pass by their home. Masses are held from December 15th through December 24th where nearly the whole service is sung and traditional Puerto Rican instruments are played. 

Puerto Ricans decorate their homes with greenery, including palm leaves, but also have traditional decorations such as Christmas trees and nativity scenes. Straw hats are often worn during Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve. The traditional meal is a roasted pig. 

On New Year’s Eve, people eat a grape on each chime of the clock at midnight for good luck -- 12 grapes in total. Then fireworks are shot off. A traditional Puerto Rican poem is read over the radio. Gifts are brought to children during the Epiphany, and parents may leave fresh grass in boxes under the children’s beds for the camels of the three kings. 

Venezuela

Colorful fireworks are a big part of the holidays in Venezuela. There is also traditional music played. Artificial Christmas trees are somewhat popular, but nativity scenes are more common.  It is very popular for Venezuelans to go to the mass of the rooster on Christmas Eve. In the capital city, the streets are sometimes closed down so that citizens can skate there. Presents are also given out on Christmas Eve. 

There are many unique holiday celebrations that take place around the world. We have touched on some of the customs in Latin America. Wherever you may be traveling this holiday season, we at Infinity hope you and your family enjoy a safe and festive holiday season, enjoying your own family and cultural traditions!