Christmas time is a very special time of the year. I personally love it. I enjoy a lot being with my family, share food, gifts and gatherings. Besides, I love to decorate my house in Christmas and see other peoples house decorated.
Today I want to shar with you some differences between Christmas in Venezuela and Chile. Keep reading to learn about Chilean and Venezuelan culture, food, drinks, music and more.
1. CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN VENEZUELA
In Venezuela we have a special music for this time of the year, this type if music is called “Gaitas”. No, it’s not gaitas from Scotland, it’s nothing like it. This music is very special and traditional of Venezuela, mostly in northwest of Venezuela. (Zulia and its capital city Maracaibo)
Gaitas are songs with popular content, love, and religious lyrics. They also have funny lyrics and politics topics. This last topic is also the main topic in a lot of songs. They are sang and played by a group of people with different musical instruments such as: furro, cuatro venezolano, maracas, charrasca and tampora, among others.
If you want to listen to gaitas here you have a Playlist with Christmas music from Venezuela.
In Chile there is no special music for Christmas. They often listen to “Cumbia chilena” mostly for New Years Eve. There are many different groups that sing in private and public parties. Check here a little bit of cumbia chilena.
You know music is an excellent tool to learn Spanish in a funny way. Here you have a post where I share wit you how to use music to learn Spanish.
2. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DELIVERING THE GIFTS?
In Venezuela presents are delivered by El niño Jesús y San Nicolás (Baby Jesus and Saint Nicholas) also called Santa Claus. While in Chile is el Viejito Pascuero who delivers the presents
When I was a little girl I used to write two letters: one for Niño Jesus and another for San Nicolás and put my letter in the Christmas tree.
We receive the presents under the tree at 00:00 of December,
3. NO WHITE CHRISTMAS FOR US IN CHRISTMAS
Santa Claus does not enter through a chimney because in Chile and Venezuela we are in summer time. Yes, just like you read it. We don’t have snow, nor cold weather or sit around the chimney not drink hot cocoa.
Both Chile and Venezuela are in the south hemisphere so while you are in Winter season we are in summer.
We are used to watch Christmas movies in winter with lots of snowy decorations, but this is not our reality. Here San Nicolás needs to use swimsuit and not long pants.
Even though we don’t have a White Christmas or snow, I enjoyed watching Christmas movies and snow. I hope someday I Will be able to have a White Christmas in some northern country.
4. CHRISTMAS FOOD IN VENEZUELA AND CHILE
In Venezuela we have a special dish for Christmas. We prepared it with our families and it’s a special moment. The Christmas dish is made of different elements we eat specifically for this time of the year and part of the tradition is to cook and prepare the meal together.
To know more details about Venezuelan food and traditions you can check this video in YouTube where I share more details about Venezuelan traditions in Christmas.
In Chile many families eat meat or turkey. They gather and eat together and drink cola de mono.
Check this video if you also want to learn about the differences between Latinamerica and Spain Christmas traditions
Which Christmas traditions do you have in your country? Comment below…
