Christmas in South America

Christmas in South America is a bright, colourful holiday. It is celebrated with lot of passion. Similarities between countries are due to the fact that most people in Latin America are Roman Catholics.

Christmas tree in Argentina does not have to be a coniferous one. People decorate all kind of trees. Christmas in Argentina is celebrated in the summer. But many miss winter and snow which is by most people associated with Christmas. People make cotton balls symbolizing snow. They put them on their Christmas tree. Almost every house prepares their own nativity scene or "pesebre". Pesebre is put next to Christmas tree. Pesebre exists all over South America.

In Argentina the most popular drink for Christmas and New Year celebration is cider or sidra. Cider is a drink made from apple juice. Very popular Christmas dish in Argentina is "Niños envueltos". This dish is made of steaks filled with minced meat, spices, boiled eggs and onions. Each steak is shaped into rolls and then baked or simmered.

The same as all over the world, kids in Chile love Santa Claus. They call him "Viejito Pascuero" or "Old Man Christmas." He is quite small. That way he can easily move down the chimney. Chimneys in Chile are not so big like elsewhere in the world.

Very popular Chilean drink is called "Cola de Mono" or "Monkey's Tail." Many people drink it during Christmas holidays. The drink contains aguardiente, rum, coffee, milk and anise. Popular Chilean Christmas dishes are "Azuela de ave" and "Pan de Pascua". Azuela de ave is a chicken soup with potatoes, onion and corn. Pan de Pascua is a cake made of candied fruits, raisins, walnuts and almonds. It was brought to Chile by German immigrants.

In the week preceding Christmas religious and other organizations and communities of Cusco, Peru organize so called "chocolatadas". Poor children get a cup of hot chocolate and maybe a small present.

In Peru nativity scene also includes a "retablo". Retablo is a small Latin American devotional painting. It is a form of popular or folk art. In the past priest, when travelling to local church festivities, used to carry small altars. Saints were shown above the altar and groups of so called ordinary people below it. Nowadays retablos depict Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, plus groups of people watching them.

Retablo

Christmas Eve ("Noche Buena") meal in Peru includes turkey ("pavo"), apple sauce, paneton etc. In Peru presents are exchanged on the Epiphany or "la Bajada de los Reyes", on the 6th January, which is the end of Christmas season.

Exactly at midnight on Christmas Eve Bolivians set off firecrackers. People of Bolivia have their big Christmas meal when they return from the Midnight Mass or "Misa del Gallo" (Mass of the Rooster). It is also possible to have a meal on Christmas Day. Many different dishes are served. Here are just few examples. "Picana" is a soup made of chicken meat, beef, corn and different spices. People also enjoy "Turrón", which is a nougat delicacy made of honey, sugar, egg white and almonds.

Picana

Christmas morning is time for "Natilla" and "Buñuelos." Natilla is a custard-like pudding made with corn starch. Buñuelos are fritters with some white cheese inside. Bolivians also have something what is called “Canastón." Canaston is a big basket or plastic tub filled with basic food products like for example bread, sugar, rice, biscuits etc. It is given to employee by his or her employer.