Per E. Navidad y Año Nuevo by

Juan Kerivan

2013-12-18 16:56:45 UTC

Mexico

From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging.

Jesús churchill

2013-12-18 16:57:05 UTC

In Bolivia they celebrate Christmas and make it a very religious event, the do something called paserbee which is. When they celebrate nativity in Church and around town

Miguel Since Christmas is such a grand and important holiday here in Dominican Republic it deserves a page all its own.It is such a large celebration that it starts in October and ends in January. With its exhilarating parties, spectacular fireworks, relaxing family time and fantastic food, there is just too much good information for a small section.Christmas here lasts for about 3 months, more or less. It is a time to get together with friends and family and enjoy. Although here everyone seems to have a great time always, Christmas is even more of an delight. The airlines are booked solid with people returning to their roots to celebrate in the place they call home. There is such an excitement felt in the streets throughout the country. The passion culminates with the fireworks that seem to happen more often the closer the holiday gets. Fuegos artificiales/ Fireworks are a momentous tradition here in Dominican Republic. Children and adults love shooting off cohetes y petardos/ rockets and firecrackers of all types. Hospitals are especially busy mending burnt and mangled fingers of people that get a bit carried away with the fireworks. There are stands all over the country selling these festive and dangerous toys to light the sky or to make a big bang . In this way the season is celebrated with a bang!Most businesses come to a close around 6 PM on Christmas Eve, some not opening at all on this day. This gives families time to get together for the big celebration of food and drink. In most tourist areas businesses are open, but I wouldn't count on it. It's best to have what you need before this day just to be on the safe side.The main celebration happens on Noche Buena/ Christmas Eve (December 24th). This is when the big family dinners are held and people really do some substantial celebrating. Most people return to their home towns in order to enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Not to mention, most Dominicans love their mothers or aunts cooking so the must return home to enjoy the feast that is prepared. This family gathering is the center of the holiday festivity. December 25th is just a day to recuperateAs a traditional token of Christmas cheer, most employees receive an extra months pay in December, and so have a little extra cash on hand. This is called Double Sueldo, a Christmas bonus Dominican style. It is about the same as a months pay and helps to make Christmas holidays a more lighthearted timeThe more religious people usually go to church for the Christmas Eve service. This service called La Misa del Gall. It is a Midnight Mass traditional type service. There is also a mass on Christmas Day usually held at 12 noon for those who didn't make it to the Midnight mass or for those that like to go to both. This way one can get a little rest in between.If you are in Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic during the holidays try and make it to the service in the First church in the Americas, Cathedral de Santa Maria in Colonial Zone. This is service is one of the largest and most elaborate in the whole country. Make sure to get there very early or you will be observing from the outside, which is fine also.A tradition for gift exchange is called Un Angelito/ A Little Angel. All the social classes practice this. All the names of the participants are placed in a sack. Then a name is selected from the bunch. The person whose name you chose is your Angelito. Every week during the Christmas holiday you are to give that person, whose name you chose, a gift. The identity of your Angelito is to be kept secret until the last day of the gift exchange where you must divulge yourself.

2013-12-18 16:57:37 UTC

Raquel Cohen

2013-12-18 16:57:42 UTC

New Years

-run around the house with suitcase to ensure travel next year

- massive parties

-heat beans to help job

-Sing and dance

Margarita McCarthy

2013-12-18 16:58:48 UTC

Venezuela

New president changed Christmas to November! "Because he wants happiness for all"

Fireworks are popular

Gaita music is very popular

Very colorful

Pedro vigoda

2013-12-18 16:58:57 UTC

Peru celebrates Christmas on June 25

Liam Conran

2013-12-18 16:59:32 UTC

In Equador they burn paper dummies that represent dead government officials and dead family members so yeah

Alfonso

2013-12-18 16:59:51 UTC

Becca Brown

2013-12-18 17:01:37 UTC

El Savador

Christmas

- children celebrate with fireworks

- At 12:00 a.m. on December 25 everyone gathers around the Christmas tree and opens their presents.

New Years

- spent with families

Brígida Cronin- Panama

2013-12-18 17:02:20 UTC

-the panama christmas parade, they take all the poor

children to the front so they participate

- they have a christmas tree lighting

- churches give out free hot chocolate

- light boats up

-12 on Christmas eve, they light fireworks up

-Instead of giving presents, they have a feast

-Dia de los Reyes, this is when little kids get presents.

2013-12-18 17:02:28 UTC

Juan Pablo

2013-12-18 17:02:37 UTC

Paraguay

Fun fact for ya: Santa clause is actually called Papa Noel and delivers his presents at 12 o clock sharp.

Tito Eamer

2013-12-18 17:03:11 UTC

In Uruguay christmas is celebrated in a very religious way

https://christmasparaguay.wikispaces.com

Pepe Graziano

2013-12-18 17:03:59 UTC

Spain

http://cuban-christmas.com/newyears.html

2013-12-18 17:05:06 UTC

Neto is da best

2013-12-18 17:05:44 UTC

Pedro vigoda

2013-12-18 17:05:55 UTC

Only 1900 people in Peru are Jewish בתכליתם גלגל גפן

El Carnival - Dancers and musical groups from all over the country compete for the best of show in costumes, dancing talent, and music.

2013-12-18 17:06:34 UTC

http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/mexico.shtml

2013-12-18 17:12:05 UTC

Alfonso

2013-12-18 17:12:10 UTC

They eat a giant roasted pig on New Years in cuba

Alfonso

2013-12-18 17:13:29 UTC

Wil graziano

2013-12-18 17:17:02 UTC

Pepe g

2013-12-18 17:17:29 UTC

New Year's Eve is called 'Nochevieja' or 'The Old Night' in Spain and one special tradition is that you eat 12 grapes with the 12 strokes of the clock at Midnight! Each grape represents a month of the coming year, so if you eat the twelve grapes, you are said to be lucky in the new year..

Mike Foley

2013-12-18 17:22:54 UTC

Last years Christmas in Venuzuela with the fam #thefam

Alfonso

2013-12-18 17:24:17 UTC