A Colombian Christmas
Sure, Christmas in Europe or the US is fun... but have you ever had yourself a Colombian Christmas? We're breaking down some of the best Colombian Christmas traditions, so that you can celebrate the festive season with a twist this year. And hey, if you can't make it to Colombia, you can still celebrate Christmas, Colombian style, with our pick of handcrafted Colombian festive décor.
La Noche De Velitas
Noche de velitas (night of the candles) on December 7th is a longstanding Colombian tradition in which people all over the country light candles in their homes or on the streets to celebrate the eve of the Immaculate Conception. This is often considered the start of the festive season and involves nation wide celebrations ahead of a public holiday on December 8th.
El Nino Jesus
Whilst nowadays Santa Claus has embedded himself in cultures the world over, in Colombia it has always been tradition that the Baby Jesus brings gifts to the children at Christmas. Presents are often given on the 24th December, and similar to many other catholic countries, there is even more gift giving on Three Kings Day (January 6th).
Praying The Novena
Another festive tradition is the praying of the novena - reciting a collection of prayers in the 9 days running up to Christmas Eve. Whilst this has its roots in religion, it is also a time for families or friends to get together, socialize & feast, with each night often hosted at a different person’s house. For each day there are specific readings & songs relating to the Christmas story and the nights are often filled with games, music & laughter.
El Dia De Los Inocentes
The so-called ‘Day of the Innocents’ is a delightful festive tradition taking place on 28th December in Colombia. Think of it as Latin America’s answer to a festive April Fool’s Day! Whilst not everyone takes part, it is a fun tradition in which light hearted pranks are played on friends & family, and a day which is often dedicated to spending time with loved ones.
Colombian Christmas Food
There are many delicacies that Colombians like to feast on during the festive period and buñuelos are a must have! A fried small round doughnut that can be made with either sweet or savoury fillings & toppings (think cheese in the middle or coated with sugar) and are sometimes eaten with natilla (a Colombian style custard).
For the big feast, lechona is an impressive centrepiece! A whole pig stuffed with savoury delights such as rice, peas, potatoes, spices and then slow roasted until tender & juicy on the inside, but crispy and golden on the exterior. Not only does this look impressive on the Christmas table, but it is also a fun way to celebrate a big family gathering.