The evening of december 24 in the spanish-speaking world
Christmas traditions in the Spanish speaking countries
The Hispanic countries have many things in common, among them the Christmas’ customs and traditions stand out, although each country has its way to make it unique.
All the countries that make up the Hispanic community tend to decorate their homes with lights, ornaments and Christmas trees, and share with family and friends during Christmas Eve and New Year.
ARGENTINA
On Christmas Eve you cannot miss food such as Vitel Toné, Lechón, Russian salad, stuffed tomatoes, sweet bread and nougat.
Game of the "Invisible Friend" consists of distributing a name at random and on Christmas night putting the gifts anonymously under the tree and, after being opened, the identities will be revealed.
Waiting for Santa Claus on December 25 for gifts.
In the cities, it’s common for the nights of December 24 to have many places with parties.
Balloons are released into the sky with New Year's wishes.
Give women pink underwear as a symbol of good fortune. This garment must be released in the New Year.
BOLIVIA
On Christmas night they go to the "mass of the rooster", the name
How to Say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish + Uniquely Spanish Elements of Christmas
In the United States, Christmas is a time for family, friends, and giving. Americans typically celebrate Christmas on December 25th with a big feast and lots of presents. But, did you know that other countries have their own unique way of celebrating Christmas?
Spain is one such country. In fact, Christmas in Spain is quite a treat. Celebrations in Spain start as early as December 22nd and last until the 6th of January, making it 15 days of festivities! Without any exaggeration, Spanish Christmas is perhaps the most traditional, family-oriented celebration in the whole world.
During this time, Spaniards enjoy traditional Spanish food and drinks, go to church services, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Read on to learn more about the uniquely Spanish elements of Christmas!
Essential Spanish Vocabulary for Christmas Celebrations
Before you can fully appreciate the Spanish way of celebrating Christmas, it helps to know some common words and phrases from Spanish holiday vocabulary.
The most important phrase to remember is
Feliz Navidad
, which means
Merry Christmas
in Spanish and can
Noche Buena Celebrations and Traditions Around the World
Though there are many widespread Christmas traditions, holiday celebrations look different not only from family to family, but also from culture to culture. While your loved ones may not do much more than don matching jammies, sip hot cocoa, or binge holiday movies on Christmas Eve, others put much more stock in the evening—like Italians who celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or Hispanic people who celebrate Noche Buena.
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What exactly
is
Noche Buena, you're wondering? The English translation of the Spanish term
Noche Buena
is “good night,” says Juan Aguirre, Executive Director of the Mexican culture non-profit Mano a Mano. It's also the name of a familiar Christmas plant: the poinsettia. The
flor de Nochebuena
is native to Mexico, and it's coined as such because it turns a very bright red shade right around Christmastime.
But when used in the context of Christmas, Noche Buena, refers to a special event that takes place on December 24.
Noche Buena is a holiday celebration for Christian Latinx people around the world.
In the simplest terms, Noche Buena is a Christmas Eve celebration for
20 Christmas Spanish Words and Phrases
Christmas is a time of warmth, joy, and connection, where people from different cultures come together to celebrate the spirit of the season. Whether you have Spanish friends, colleagues, or employees, incorporating Christmas Spanish words into your festive celebrations can be a delightful way to bond.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 Christmas-related Spanish words and phrases that will not only add a touch of authenticity to your holiday greetings but also create a bridge between cultures.
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Essential Christmas Spanish Words
1. El muñeco de nieve – Snowman
El muñeco de nieve is a whimsical creation made of snow. It often features a “zanahoria” (carrot) for the nose and two “botones” (buttons) for the eyes, bringing a playful and festive spirit to snowy landscapes.
2. Papá Noel – Father Christmas
Papá Noel is the Spanish counterpart to Santa Claus, the jolly figure who delivers “regalos” (presents) to children around the world on Christmas Eve.
3. Los regalos – Presents
Christmas wouldn’t be complet