Christmas with a Latin American flavor / Navidad con sabor latinoamericano - 5 minutes of Spanish (English version) + Podcast

 

Nacimiento o Pesebre

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on where you are or what time you're listening.

Thank you so much for being here, participating in this podcast about Spanish, a language we love and that brings us together again today.

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Thank you for joining us week after week,even these days, when our minds are often on parties, vacations, and travel. 

And how is Christmas celebrated in Latin America?

Actually, there aren't that many differences

compared to celebrations in Europe,

the United States, or Canada.

It's a family occasion,  time to get together and share.

December 24th is usually calmer and more family-oriented, unlike December 31st, which is more festive.

Christmas... but it's hot In many regions of Latin America,

Christmas is celebrated in summer.

Yes, it's hot.

Exactly, it's hot. "Sí, hace calor"

And the food? 

However, the food is the same as in countries where it is winter.

Quite high-calorie meals, and dinner on the 24th is quite late.

What's on the table?

•    Nuts,

•    Christmas pudding or Christmas cake,

•    Chocolates,

•    Champurrado in Mexico,

• Ponche

•    meat.

•    Turrones- Spanish nougat, almond nougat (turrón de almendra)

•    Turkey

•    Chicken

•    Cod Bacalao a la Vizcaína

• Fruit salad for dessert in South America

•    Christmas salad, with fruit, cream, and gelatin, is a salad, not a dessert

•    Sweet and sour roll in South America, my mom's favorite.

•    Romeritos—a typical Mexican dish that is only eaten at Christmas.

And the symbols?

Of course, the Christmas tree, which has fake snow, even though it's hot in Central and South America and there's no snow in many regions... / (the Christmas tree has fake snow), and Santa Claus arrives in a sleigh, very warmly dressed... poor guy / 

Many families also make a Nativity scene, which is very fun and plastic.

Are there any Latin American contributions to Christmas?

Of course there are! And, unsurprisingly, the biggest contribution is, I know: food

The turkey, the star of many Christmas dinners, originates from Mesoamerica

(the turkey comes from Mesoamerica).

In Mexico, it is known as guajolote. Pre-Hispanic peoples used to raise it

for consumption.

Later, it was brought to Europe and replaced lamb in Christmas dinners.

Is there anything else that is unique to Latin American Christmas?

Yes, there are two interesting aspects. The first: Some authors say that the first Christmas tree in the Americas may have been in Mexico, in 1864, at Chapultepec Castle.

It was put up by Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota.

And the second contribution?

In Mexico, during Christmas, homes and offices are decorated with a very colorful plant called Nochebuena.

This plant is of Mesoamerican origin and is a symbol of Christmas.

In the United States, it is known as Poinsettia.

And who brings the gifts?

In Latin American Christmas, gifts can come from: Santa Claus, Father Christmas, or Baby Jesus.

Shh, let's speak quietly, in case kids are listening.

Gifts are delivered after midnight on the 24th or on the morning of the 25th, and children are very happy both on Christmas and on Three Kings Day.Día de Reyes

And speaking of gifts...

And speaking of gifts...you can give a SpanishUp2U membership to your friends or relatives.

Language, culture, and traditions are also gifts.

Today we celebrate traditions that travel, cultures that mix, and Spanish that connects us.

Thank you for being here, and Merry Christmas. Feliz navidad

Cheers 🥂 ¡Salud!

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