Today I want to share some of them Christmas and New Year traditions I grew up with in Colombia.
Like many people who have left Colombia and been in another country for a long time, I have lost touch with many of these wonderful traditions. Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country, so most December celebrations are based on this religion.
The day of candles: December 7 is the day when people light candles in front of their homes or on their balconies, in honor of the Virgin Mary and the Christmas lights are turned on for the first time.
Christmas lights: Every December, Colombian cities and towns are filled with beautiful light decorations. I was lucky enough to grow up in Medellín, where during the Christmas season, squares, parks, rivers and streets shine with the most colorful, beautiful and creative art made with lights. I took a ride with my friends or family to see these lights on a goatwhich literally means goat, is a colorful and rustic open-top bus. There were drinks, loud music, and we sang along to our favorite songs as we walked around the city while we watched Lighting (Christmas lights).
(These beautiful photos of Alumbrados in Medellín were taken by Camilo, a very good friend from Colombia. Thanks Camilo!)
The Christmas tree: This tree is usually found next to the nativity scene. We place gifts under the tree for family and friends that we give on December 16th, when Ninth of the Strenna start. Aguinaldo means Christmas gift in Spanish.
Novenas (Christmas Prayers): Novenas are daily prayers that begin nine days before Christmas, to be prepared before Christmas arrives The Baby Jesus (the baby Jesus). Every night we go from one relative’s house to another and gather around the manger (nativity scene) and make Christmas appetizers, pray and sing Christmas carols (Christmas carols), which we sing along with rattles we make with bottle caps passed through a string. This was one of my favorite traditions.
Christmas Eve dinner: These celebrations begin late in the evening with family members gathering around a table filled with all our traditional Colombian Christmas foods. Our parties are full of joy, drinks, music and dancing. The children wait the baby Jesus to Colombia to bring gifts. Even though we knew about Santa Claus, he didn’t come to Colombia 🙂
Traditions for New Year’s Eve (New Year’s Eve Traditions): Some of the traditions for celebrating the New Year in Colombia may seem a little crazy to people of other cultures, but many Colombians will perform some of these traditions on December 31st. Here is a list of some of these traditions and their translations, keeping in mind that I in no way suggest you perform any of them! 😉
The Grapes: Eat 12 grapes at midnight, each grape represents a month of the new year, and make a wish every time a grape is eaten.
Champagne: At midnight champagne is poured all over the body to wish prosperity.
La Maleta (The Suitcase): Run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight on December 31st and the new year will be full of travel.
The yellow underwear: Wear yellow underwear to have prosperity in the new year.
Here are some traditional Colombian Christmas dishes, if you are looking for other recipes to prepare these holidays check out my post with 30 appetizers, desserts, drinks, first courses and side dishes.
Colombian Custard (Colombian Pudding)
Buñuelos (Colombian Buñuelos)
Puff pastry or flakes
Brevas Caladas (Colombian-style figs with syrup)
My mother’s Colombian Tamales
Lechona Tolimense (Colombian stuffed pork)
Pork cannon (Colombian roast pork loin)
Pernil de Cerdo (Colombian roasted pork leg)
Sabajón (Colombian eggnog)
Christmas roast turkey
Colombian Black Cake
Russian salad
