Christmas In Argentina

Don't be surprised if you happen to be in Argentina during Christmas time and can't see snow or feel the frostbites and biting winds? Being located in the southern hemisphere, Argentine seasons are reversed. This is why Christmas in Argentina, unlike most other countries in the world, is celebrated during the warmer months. However, the dissimilarity ends right there. Like rest of the world, Christmas celebrations in Argentina too include enacting the scene from the Nativity, decking up Christmas tree with lights, gifts and stars, exchanging gifts, huge family feasts and more. Christmas celebrations in Argentina commence much before the Christmas day. At the stroke of midnight, families gather to attend church services and celebrate 'La Navidad' or Christmas. People greet each other saying 'Feliz Navidad!' which translates to 'Merry Christmas'. The sky is filled with lights and fireworks and people come together to eat, drink, exchange gifts and make merry. The twelve days Christmas celebrations last uptil January 6 and ends with extravagant feasts and dinner parties on 'Three Kings' Day'.

Traditions
Traditionally, Argentineans get together with their family and friends on Christmas to attend the church ceremonies. They take part in the rituals, sing carols and carry out religious services. Argentine Christmas traditions are a combination of European, American and Hispanic conventions. Christmas dinner is served on the night of December 24 and normally includes roast pork or peacock as the main dish with stuffed tomatoes, mince pies and iced beverages. A favorite traditional dish of the people here is 'Ninosenvuettas' - a steak preparation served with minced meat, onions, boiled eggs and spices. Other food attractions of the event include special toast prepared with a variety of fruits and blended with juice and cider and a grilled meat dish called 'Parrillada Argentina'. The desserts mainly include regional delicacies like 'Turrons', which is a type of candy, and 'Pan Dulce' or 'Panettone', which is a sweet bread topped with fruits and nuts .

Argentinian Christmas Customs

The Christmas trees are decorated with flowers, laces, balls, ‘Papa Noels’ and candles; cotton balls are used to symbolize snow. The ‘Pesebre’, or the replica of nativity scene, is placed underneath the trees.

Wreaths, in green, gold, red and white, adorn the living rooms and kitchens while scented candles are lit to brighten the rooms and red and white garlands are hung on the doors.

Another unique Christmas tradition is of lighting ‘globos’ — colorful paper lighting made of flying paper that is used to lit up the night sky during Christmas.

Kids write letters to Santa Claus, mentioning their worries and mistakes, asking for apology and praying for good times to come.

People visit friends, relatives and extended family members during Christmas.

The traditional Christmas dinner is usually served outdoors where people eat, drink and raise a toast to celebrate the Christmas spirit. Unlike

Christmas tradition elsewhere, the Argentinean kids are bestowed with gifts on ‘Three Kings Day’ that is celebrated on January 6, which is the last day of the Christmas season.

Every country has a definite way of celebrating Christmas. We hope that the above write-up gave you useful information about the Christmas traditions and customs observed in Argentina.