Christmas Traditions In Puerto Rico

Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico begins as early as the last week of November, and the season does not end on December 25. That's a month long Christmas holiday season.. wow!

The most popular practice that makes their celebration unique is their “parrandas”. This is their version of Christmas caroling with a twist.

A parranda is the gathering of a small group of friends who plans to surprise another pal. Each of them carries different musical instruments like the guitar, tambourine and maracas. The list of friends that they plan to visit gets an advance hint that their homes are target destinations. They prepare for the “asaltar” by having hefty refreshments ready.

At around ten in the evening, the “parranderos” arrive at their first destination. They sing lively songs to surprise and awaken the sleeping friend. Singing and dancing continues while they are served with food and drinks. The original group leaves the house together with the homeowners to parrandear some more. This goes on for two to three hours while the group becomes larger each time. After several homes, the caroling ends at about three in the morning. The last visited friend offers the traditional chicken soup to the guests. This is done every night during the six weeks of the Puerto Rican's Christmas season.

Another famous part of the Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico is the “Misa de Aguinaldo” that is held and well attended at midnight on Christmas eve. This festive mass is celebrated solemnly with carolers, children dressed in angel costumes and other characters in the nativity scene. “

Nochebuena” is the big holiday celebration that they share with their family and friends. This sumptuous meal includes their very delectable roasted pig or “lechon asado”. Other signature dishes include the rice and pea dishes, “coquito” or eggnog made with rum and coconut milk, coconut custard, fried plantains, and nuts. These are specially cooked for the holiday season.

Gift giving is also practiced by Puerto Ricans. However, these presents does not come from Santa Claus. Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico observes that the holiday gifts come from “Los Reyes Magos”. This is done on the eve of January 6 which is the feast of the three kings.

Children cut grasses to put on the shoe boxes that they put under the beds of their parents and grandparents. These are offered for the camels of the wise men. The children believes that the camel eats the grass and Los Reyes fill the empty boxes with gifts as a sign of gratitude.

The three wise men is a prominent figure in the entire celebration of “Navidad”. They are also seen in the common Christmas decorations that the families put up for the season. They call it the “nacimientos” or “pesebres”, which depicts the nativity scene.