What are your Christmas traditions?
I'm curious to know how Christmas or la Navidad is celebrated differently in spanish culture. Although the purpose behind Christmas may be the same, each culture has different traditions and ways that they celebrate Christmas. In my family, we put up a Christmas tree and decorate it. We also put up stockings in front of the fireplace and exchange gifts on Christmas day. We have a big fancy Christmas breakfast, because in the evening, we go to the Christmas service at church. We also go to the Christmas eve service the night before.
So how do people in spanish-speaking countries celebrate Christmas?
What are typical traditions for their culture?
How do you celebrate Christmas?
2 Answers
We usually start the season on the day after Thanksgiving by going into Manhattan to see all of the Christmas decorations.
We have a yearly party for friends in the middle of the month, which this year, will be tomorrow night.
On Christmas Eve, we go to church and then spend time with family.
On Christmas morning,since my children were little, we read a few passages of the Christmas story from the Bible just before we open gifts.
I am a little nostalgic this year since it will be the last year the five of us are around the tree as a family. My son will be getting married next August and will start his own traditions. I am thrilled to be gaining another beautiful daughter though. 
In Mexico, the major celebration begins on our Christmas Eve. It's called Nochebuena and lasts til the wee hours of the morning. It's family centered and can be a very energetic time, with exchange of gifts, music, dancing, lots of food, and (too?) much alcohol. There are also fireworks - lots of fireworks - so much so that one of my sound-phobic dogs has to be held and comforted.
As for me, personally, I'm a non-believer and practice no Christmas traditions other than gift-giving and volunteering to work in a homeless shelter to prepare a big dinner and to help out with serving.
Finally, I do worry that Christmas has mostly lost its meaning what with all the commercial emphasis. Which, sadly, is happening in Mexico, too.
