Las Doce Uvas (The twelve grapes)
In Spain, New Year's Eve, known as Nochevieja ('Old night'), is considered a part of Christmas, which runs for 12 days (December 25-January 6).
Every New Year’s Eve, Spaniards eat (or at least attempt to eat) twelve grapes, one with each of the twelve clock bell strikes at midnight of December 31, to enter the year with good luck and prosperity.
This tradition originated in the early 1900 when Spanish vine growers were faced with a harvest surplus in the province of Alicante. To make sure they sold all the grapes they launched a Christmas campaign that marketed them as lucky grapes. Needless to say, the strategy worked. This ritual has been adopted by most Latin American countries, Hispanic communities in United States and the Philippines.
Red underwear
Wearing red underwear is a must in any Spanish household in New Year’s Eve. It is believed to bring love, luck and prosperity your way.
Las Doce Uvas
Colombia
El día las velitas (The day of the little candles)
On the night of the 7th of December, Colombians lit up candles and lanterns and place them at their doorstep, windowsills or balconies in honour of the Virgin Mary on the night of her Immaculate Conception. This night marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities in Colombia.
Chile
Cola de mono (Monkey’s tail)
This unusually named cocktail has been Chileans’ go to Christmassy beverage for decades. It is normally accompanied by Pan de Pascua, Chile’s take on the Italian Panettone. The eldest people in the family are usually in charge of preparing this delicious drink and their particular recipes will be passed on from generation to generation. The ingredients include milk, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, coffee, orange peel, sugar and aguardiente.
Viejito Pascuero
While the rest of the South American countries refer to Santa Claus as Papá Noel o San Nicolás, ‘Viejito Pascuero’ is his how St. Nick is commonly known in Chile.
Perú
A glimpse to the future
In some parts of Peru, families use coca leaves after midnight on the 24th of December to read what the future will bring them. This is an ancient tradition from pre-colonial times.
Yellow underwear
As opposed to the Spaniards, Peruvians and other South American countries believe yellow is the colour that will bring their luck and prosperity.
Venezuela
The tropical alternative to sledding
If you are in Venezuela during the holiday season, leave your car at home and instead put on some roller skates and glide to Christmas mass. That is what thousands (if not millions) of Venezuelans do on the 25th of December. They even close the main streets to cars to make it safe for the roller skaters.
Argentina
Burn the old
In some Argentinian cities they burn a huge straw-made man called ‘Año Viejo’ (old year) after midnight to make their previous year’s troubles turn into ash.
Midnight Mass
Known as ‘La Misa del Gallo’ (Rooster’s mass) this service is held at midnight in many Spanish speaking countries at midnight on the 24th of December.
Costa Rica
40 days of Christmas
The popular Christmas carol ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ has nothing on Costa Rica. In this tropical paradise Christmas is officially celebrated for 40 days, from the 1st of December until the 2nd of February.
Cuba
Forbidden Christmas
After the Cuban Revolution, the Marxist party banned Christmas traditions and Christmas was officially prohibited from 1967. This ban lasted for over 30 years. During these years, Christian families would secretly celebrate and held mass services at home. In 1998, after the Pope visited the island Christmas was restored.
Mexico
Roscón de Reyes
This breakfast treat is a giant ring-shaped delicious brioche cake topped with candied fruit. It is secretly stuffed with a butter bean and a tiny toy Jesus. Although it is common to enjoy it for breakfast or dessert throughout the holiday season it is traditionally eaten on the morning of the Three King’s Day, the 6th of January. Tradition says that whoever finds the butter bean in their slice should pay for the cake. This cake also part of Spain, Portugal and France’s Christmas traditions.
Maletas por la calle
In order to attract good travels in the coming year it is a ritual for Mexican to go for a walk in their block holding an empty suitcase. This ritual is also celebrated in Perú.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this little summary of some festive traditions in the Spanish speaking world. We wish you a very Merry Christmas. We will think about you when we are stuffing our face with twelve grapes, wearing bright underwear, getting drunk on cola de mono, skating to mass and opening our presents from el Viejito Pascuero. Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo from El Patio teachers and Admin team.
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By Ylenia
November 16, 2022
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