There is a strong feeling of kinship during the last month of the year in Guatemala. During this festive time, families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors gather together, participating in important Christmas traditions and gatherings. These parties, customs, and food have been shared for centuries and still play a valuable role today. Starting in late November, you will see work offices decked out with Christmas decorations, where these corporations will often hold Christmas parties for their staff or gift Christmas baskets with various treats. It is a time to gather, reflect, and thank the people around you for the year. As Christmas draws near, the Guatemalan people participate in various Christmas traditions we will discuss below.
Posadas Navideñas
The Posadas Navideñas marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations in Guatemala, particularly among the Catholic community. This essential tradition takes place nine days before Christmas, on the 16th, to represent the nine months of the Virgin Mary’s pregnancy. This symbolization is rooted in the purpose of the festivities, which is to celebrate the arrival of Jesus while surrounded by friends, neighbors, and family. During this time, each night features a small procession, departing from a parish and ending at a home chosen in advance. Part of the group carries images of the anda or images of Jesus and Mary. Other members of the group hold up colorful lanterns and sing traditional songs.
Noche Buena
Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve, is a very special time dedicated to spending time and celebrating with loved ones. You can expect residents of Guatemala to fully involve themselves in decorating both the outside and inside their homes with Christmas decorations. Christmas trees and lighting, along with nativity scenes, are nearly always present.
On Christmas Eve, families gather for a grand dinner. This is a special time when family members often wear new clothes purchased specifically for the day and will prepare traditional foods, desserts, snacks, and more. Families and neighbors often visit before and after dinner to exchange gifts or share food.
Once dinner is complete, families dedicate time to open gifts for young ones. If the group only consists of adults, waiting until midnight to open presents is typical. At midnight on Christmas day, families can view fireworks displays that usually last 15 or 20 minutes.
Alrededor de las 2 AM
Alrededor de las 2 AM, or around 2:00 AM, guests will go home or go to bed if staying the night, marking the end of Christmas Eve festivities. Christmas Day is yet another chance to spend the entire day with family. It’s a time to relax, enjoy more food, play games, play with new gifts, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Many families prepare a smaller lunch than the Christmas Eve dinner. While not as large scale of a celebration, Christmas in Guatemala invites a quiet time to spend time with loved ones.
Typical Christmas Traditions
Other Christmas traditions in Guatemala include decorating gingerbread houses, telling stories of Santa and the birth of baby Jesus, and any activities that bring families together, including making the day more valuable for children. Most importantly, the Guatemalan people believe in sharing with those who need it the most, whether it’s sharing extra food, gifts, necessities, and more. By recognizing the true spirit of the holiday, the members of communities use this time to reflect and give back.
Common Christmas Foods
Christmas tamales will be present at dinner, with almost no exceptions. Many families have their own tamale recipes passed down for generations. Both the process of making tamales and eating them are highly joyous experiences for the whole family. Tamales are a true labor of love, sometimes taking days to prepare, but the results are always worth the laughs along the way.
You will likely find tamales accompanied by bread and punch. The punch, or poncho, is made with various fried fruits, fruit juices, sugar, and cinnamon.
During this season of giving, consider making a donation to help establish community water systems to developing communities around the world.