December arrives in Latin America with all its joy. Folklore, music, dance and meeting, become the factors to define Christmas on the continent. Nevertheless, each country has its own traditions and some of them are as curious as the very origin of Christmas… Following the line of the previous publications in Supercurioso, it has been the turn of Chile, a country that, far from being cold, is positioned as one of the most partying. Discover how Christmas is celebrated in Chile! Of course, you will enjoy when we tell you about some of the most attractive Christmas traditions in Chile. 😀 Join us!
Well says one of the Christmas phrases most popular of all time: «Humanity is a big, immense family. This is shown by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” Indeed, we all feel it and In Chile it seems that this feeling only increases with the passing of the days until the long-awaited 25th of December arrives. December.
When we talk about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries, we realize that traditions, origins, and meanings change from one territory to another, even from one family to another. But, How is Christmas celebrated in Chile? Where do its traditions come from? And why do they celebrate as they do?
To start, you should know that Christmas traditions in Chile are simple, that does not mean they are simple. Everything is about directing the celebration to the meeting with loved ones and the tasting of regional delicacies. In fact, one of the many curious facts about Chile is that there they are lovers of bread, That is why it is not strange to see the delicious Easter bread at Christmas dinners, one of the many forms of celebration. Let’s meet the rest!
5 Christmas traditions in Chile
To know how Christmas is celebrated in Chile, we must first get an idea: there the festivity begins long before it’s December. By November people keep their Halloween costume in the closet and take out Christmas balls, stars and lights; The emotion that this celebration brings is such that Christmas carols and garlands accompany Chilean homes from late November to mid-January.
However, to be precise and fair when talking about how Christmas is celebrated in Chile, we tell you that on December 24 people gather as a family to start the traditional Christmas dinner… Unlike other cultures , In Chile it is a tradition to wait until 12 in the morning on Christmas Eve, just to celebrate the arrival of the child God. At that moment the emotion is felt when everyone starts kissing and hugging each other and why not? Music and dance until dawn.
Yes, yes, we know the typical Chilean food It is an otherworldly delight. Nothing better than those freshly baked empanadas and not to mention the humitas made of sweet corn. Perhaps that is why it is obvious that Within the Christmas traditions in Chile, food plays a fundamental rolenot only because it gathers our loved ones around the table, but also because it is the opportunity to demonstrate, once again, the creativity in the dishes.
We could not answer the question about how Christmas is celebrated in Chile without talking about the basis of all Christmas dinner: roast turkey with chestnuts. With this on the table, the accompaniments are an open letter with infinite options. In some homes mashed potatoes with mayonnaise are preferred, while in others beetroot salad, but not before going through apple cabbage salad or rice with raisins.
With each of these accompaniments, the turkey will be exquisite, but something more is still needed… Do you remember? Exact! Easter bread is said to actually originate in Germany, or perhaps Italy, where it is made with yeast and marzipan. However, upon arrival in Chile, became the “Creole Easter bread”he changed the dried fruits for crystallized fruits and this one became a little darker… Thus becoming one of the best Christmas dishes in the world.
Do you want to know one more of the curiosities of Christmas? This Easter bread is not just one of the ways in which Christmas is celebrated in Chile; It is a Christmas food of world gastronomyamong which are the christmas pudding, the pandoro, the Panettone and the Stollen. Different names, one flavor!
3. Monkey tail
Before leaving meals behind as part of Christmas traditions in Chile, We are going to talk to you about a drink that sweetens your palate, and then makes your throat burn; It is about the famous cola de mono or colemono, a cocktail made with brandy, milk, coffee, sugar and spices everywhere. This is the perfect companion to Easter bread!
And the main entertainment of the meeting, with a couple of drinks everyone will feel happier than ever; And of course, if this is how Christmas is celebrated in Chile. Little is known about its origin, except for some theories, the most accepted tells us that the cola de mono would have been a drink packaged and sold in bottles of AnÃs del Mono, from Spain, and which were very popular in America.
In many countries, why gifts are given at Christmas has no justification, but gifts are one more way to show how Christmas is celebrated in Chile. In this case, after the Christmas Eve dinner, children, young people and adults sit in their living rooms to begin the opening of gifts. Of course, as long as they have passed midnight, not before.
The activity is simple, a person is chosen who will be in charge of distributing the gifts and reading their origin, many times Santa Claus or the child God is marked as the sender, especially when they are gifts for the little ones.
5. December 25
To close our list of Christmas traditions in Chile, it was inevitable to mention the day after Christmas dinner. You don’t suppose the 24th ends everything, do you? No it doesn’t, Christmas goes on, not only until the 25th, sometimes also the 26th.
The next morning, people gather again to enjoy a new banquet and share the experiences of the night before. Some wear their Christmas gifts and others recall previous years. In many cases, family outings are organized on the 25th, visits to other places where you can have a picnic, or simply eat very tasty in a rural area.
And you, Did you know how Christmas is celebrated in Chile? Tell us, we will be happy to read you! And in case you wanted to know more about this festivity, discover what Christmas is like in Egypt. It will fascinate you.
If the Christmas spirit has already awakened in you, we invite you to read our post on Christmas curiosities. From now on, we wish you happy holidays and much prosperity! Christmas in the world is very diverse. For this reason, we have prepared this selection about the celebrations of different countries. We hope you enjoy it and get in the Christmas spirit.