Holiday Traditions Around the World

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Columbia

Since Colombia is about 90% Roman Catholic, the Christian aspects of Christmas are the most celebrated. The Christmas season in Colombia starts on December 7th when families light candles in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The church celebrates the 8th of December as the day of the Immaculate Conception. This is a Colombian National Holiday and a day of Obligation with the church. It is celebrated with a display of lights as each home will light approximately 100 candles on the curb and sidewalk area. City streets and parks are illuminated with large Christmas lights as well.

On December 16th Colombian families typically start setting up the Christmas tree -- which is artificial for ecological reasons. The Christmas tree is decorated with lights and bowls. Families set up Nativity scenes which are either plastic or hand crafted figures. Everyone in the family contributes on this day.

From December 16th through December 24th, families usually gather together at night around Nativity scenes to pray and sing carols in the Novena. On Christmas Eve family members and neighbors gather to eat and dance. (Traditional Colombian foods include: Ajiaco - a soup with potatoes, chicken and natilla -- a corn based dessert and buÒuelos.) Everyone waits until midnight to wish each other Merry Christmas and to exchange gifts.

Traditionally, "El NiÒo Jesus," the Christ Child is the one who would bring you the gifts. But recently Santa Claus has been introduced as a gift giver as well. Children get up on Christmas morning and find gifts at the foot of their beds. Christmas trees are in the house but mostly used for decorations.

January 6th is another national holiday and represents the day when the wise men reach the Nativity with their gifts. Some people also give gifts on this day but December 25th is still the main holiday nationally and within the Catholic community.

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