Celebrating Christmas in 5 Spanish-speaking Countries 🎄(ft. AndyGM & Español con María)

Summary

In this special Christmas video, Juan from Spring Spanish invites Spanish-speaking YouTubers from Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico to share their unique holiday traditions. From Spain’s grape-eating tradition on New Year’s Eve to Colombia’s Little Candle Day and Mexico’s ‘Maratón Guadalupe - Reyes,’ each country brings something special to the table. Juan also highlights Venezuelan and Argentine Christmas customs, including traditional dishes like Hallaca and Vitel Toné. The video offers a fun, multicultural look at how Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Christmas, along with some delightful surprises and stories from each participant.

Takeaways

• 😀 Christmas traditions vary widely across Spanish-speaking countries, with each country having its own unique customs and celebrations.
• 🎉 In Spain, a major tradition is eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve, which is a fun but challenging task for many.
• 🎄 Spain also celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings (Reyes Magos) on January 6th with parades and the exchange of sweets.
• 🍬 Spanish Christmas treats include Polvorones (shortbread) and Turrones (nougat), which are enjoyed throughout the holiday season.
• 🇻🇪 In Venezuela, Aguinaldos (Christmas carols) and Gaitas (folkloric music) are central to the celebration, and there's a tradition of skating in the streets after Christmas masses.
• 🎁 In both Venezuela and Colombia, gifts are given by Baby Jesus rather than Santa Claus, with presents often placed under the Christmas tree or nativity scene.
• 🌟 Colombia celebrates the Little Candle Day on December 7th, marking the start of the Christmas season with the lighting of candles in honor of Virgin Mary.
• 🙏 From December 16th to 24th, Colombians observe Las Novenas, a daily prayer tradition, while enjoying typical foods like Buñuelos, Natilla, and Tamales.
• 🌞 Christmas in Argentina is celebrated during the summer, featuring cold dishes like Vitel Toné (cold meat in mayo) and festive barbecues known as Asado.
• 🍷 Argentina’s Christmas includes the consumption of local treats like Peanut Turrón, Mantecol (peanut sweet), and the famous Malbec wine from Mendoza.
• 🍽️ Mexico has its own Christmas marathon called Maratón Guadalupe - Reyes, spanning from December 12th to January 6th, with continuous feasting and celebrations.
• 🎉 In Mexico, the tradition of 'Pedir Posada' involves reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, often with music, singing, and gatherings.
• 🍽️ Traditional Mexican Christmas food includes Ponche (hot punch), Tamales, Buñuelos, Atole, and hot chocolate, often served during family gatherings on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Q & A

What are some Christmas traditions in Spain mentioned by Andy?

Andy shared several Spanish Christmas traditions, including eating 12 grapes at midnight on December 31st during Noche Vieja, the celebration of Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings), and the tradition of Kings Horse Ridings, where decorated cars throw sweets. She also mentioned the importance of specific Christmas sweets like Polvorones, Turrones, and chocolate varieties.

How do Christmas traditions in Spain compare to those in Venezuela?

Both Spain and Venezuela share the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on December 31st, but Venezuela has additional unique customs, such as singing aguinaldos (Christmas carols) and Gaitas (folkloric music). Venezuelans also celebrate Christmas masses called Misas de aguinaldo, which involve skating parties for children and fireworks.

What is the significance of the Little Candle Day in Colombia?

In Colombia, the Christmas season starts on December 7th with the Little Candle Day, which honors the Virgin Mary's Holy Conception. Families light little candles at home and make wishes to the Virgin. This marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities.

What are some Christmas food traditions in Colombia?

In Colombia, Christmas food includes Buñuelos (fried dough balls), Natilla (a custard-like dessert), and Tamales (corn dough filled with meat). These foods are enjoyed during the Novenas (a series of prayers leading up to Christmas) and other holiday celebrations.

What is the tradition of 'las novenas' in Colombia?

Las novenas in Colombia are a series of prayers from December 16th to December 24th, where families gather to pray, sing, and enjoy Christmas food. The prayers recount the journey of Mary and Joseph leading up to the birth of Jesus.

How does the celebration of Christmas differ in Mexico compared to other countries?

In Mexico, Christmas celebrations include 'pedir posada', where people reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, going door-to-door singing specific songs. Christmas in Mexico also features a 'Maratón Guadalupe - Reyes' food marathon from December 12th to January 6th, where people eat and drink extensively. The celebration includes tamales, ponche, and piñatas.

What is 'el recalentado' in Mexico, and why is it significant?

El recalentado refers to the tradition of reheating and eating leftover food from Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners the following day. It is a cherished part of the celebrations, especially for dishes like tamales and ponche, and it is often seen as even tastier than the original meal.

What is the role of Baby Jesus in the Christmas celebrations of Venezuela and Colombia?

In both Venezuela and Colombia, Baby Jesus is responsible for delivering Christmas presents rather than Santa Claus. In Venezuela, children go to bed before midnight, and Baby Jesus leaves gifts under the Christmas tree or crib, which are then opened by the children once they wake up.

What makes Christmas in Argentina different from other Latin American countries?

In Argentina, Christmas falls during the summer season, so traditional foods are typically cold or fresh, such as Vitel Toné (cold meat with mayo) and Mantecol (peanut-based sweet). Christmas celebrations also include a traditional Argentinian barbecue (asado) and the exchange of gifts from Papá Noél, who resembles Santa Claus.

What are the main components of a typical Venezuelan Christmas dinner?

A typical Venezuelan Christmas dinner includes Hallacas (corn tamales), chicken salad, seasoned pork leg, and jam bread, which is a bread baked with jam, pancetta, olives, and raisins. These dishes are integral to the holiday feast in Venezuela.