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Holidays in Latin America
Holidays in Latin America are all based on Spanish tradition during the time of the conquest and really have not changed at all.
Christmas is celebrated on December 24th rather than the 25th and is called Nochebuena. It is customary to celebrate the birth of Christ with a huge family dinner about ten o’clock in the evening. after dinner everyone attends a special midnight mass.
It is very traditional to see a beautiful Nativity set up in the house as well as the American tradition of the Christmas tree. Children, however do not receive any gifts on Christmas day as we do here in the United States.
Children receive presents on the Day of the Three Wise Men. It is called El Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos in Spanish.
Children go and visit the wise men and tell them what they would like to receive. Of course the wise men ask the children if they have been good girl and boys the whole year.
The wise men come in the middle of the nght on January 6th and leave presents for the children in their shoues which are put outside the front door. Hay is left for the horses and special food for the camel as well.
If the child has not behaved during the year, then it is customary to leave coal in the childs shoes. What a terrible thought!
In Mexico you see the parents visiting the toy stores all day and into the night when they get off work. Even the very poorest workers will save their coins and buy something for their children.
On January 6th a special ring of sugared and candied pastry is served in the shape of a crown and a baby Jesus is hidden in the bread. This pastry is cut by each member of the family and if they receive the baby Jesus in their slice, then they get a special present!
