Christmas in Argentina

The Christmas season also called the holiday season is the

gladdest and memorable occasion in our life. As we all know Christmas is celebrated on

December 25 as an accustomed celebration. In our world, we know that one of the happiest

celebration Christmas holidays is in Buenos Aires is one of the world’s great metropolises which

is the capital of Argentina. Their main Christmas celebrations happen on the 24 th of December.

Spending Christmas in Argentina has a very different atmosphere than many countries because

Christmas is not so much about snow and picturesque that’s why the weather in Argentina is

warm during Christmas.

Each country has its different perspective on its language, culture, and traditions. Gleaned

on my research Merry Christmas in Argentina means Feliz Natividad is a Spanish phrase

meaning Merry Christmas or in otherwise Happy Christmas. Feliz came from the name of Felix

and Felicity so they called it Feliz. Nativitas meaning “birth”, formerly nativus meaning “born or

native” then Navidad is capitalized specifically refers to the birth of Christ. When December 8 th

comes, they are all put or positions their attractive decorations and trees, because they believe

that this day signals the start of the Christmas season in Argentina. We will see in their country

that each house is stunningly decorated with wreaths of gold, white and green, and also one of

their decorations is the garlands that are hung on their doors or entrances of their houses and

especially the Christmas lights that will never disappear or vanish during Christmas comes. We

know that all of the decorations that they used are also used in the Philippines in each house of

ours to look more attractive or nice-looking to our beloved neighbors and visitors.
 One of the best parts of Christmas is the food, we know every family makes or prepares

dishes for the Christmas celebration. The traditional Christmas food in Argentina is meats, mince

pies, and one of their famous desserts is Pan Dulce is a sweet bread often made with dried fruit

and Pan Dulce is homemade local then, Ensalada de Fruta con helado is a sweet salad ice

cream. When we celebrating Christmas of course if there’s the food it should have a drink. In

Argentina, one of their traditional Christmas beverages is Ananá Fizz which is a well-known

pineapple fizz drink. Particularly our cherished Argentines love their champagne wherever you

go this the most significant piece for them when they are celebrating Christmas or any kind of

occasion. Chandon is the most popular champagne brand or variety in Argentina however a

couple of them tried to choose from cheap to luxurious ones.

We Filipinos and other countries have their particular tradition or behavior during

Christmas. In Argentina, they have a lot of traditions first is greetings when you go to Argentina

during Christmas you’ll see and hear a lot of people saying Feliz Natividad and Feliz Año Nuevo

which mean Happy New Year, the second one is all Argentines families come together or unite

as one to attend Christmas mass before returning home for a huge dinner party similar to what

we do here in the Philippines. Like in our country Argentine also have Christmas trees, we will

see in public places like malls, stores, and especially to their perspective homes because they

believe that it’s the connection with their religion. Besides, the country of Argentina is not like

other countries where some individuals go singing door to door to spread holiday cheerfulness or

what we called caroling, but when midnight arrives there will be the sound of lots of colorful

fireworks wherein this is what everyone waits for.

 In-country of Argentina some of their clothes or they usually wear during Christmas are

some of the men wearing jeans and casual shirts but you’ll also see a lot of individuals in

pleasant pants and wearing dressy shoes and to women, they wear feminine clothing. Now and

then there’s a family who made or decide their clothes to match them and to look nicer. Some of

them typically attire a red t-shirt and similarly, they always are with a jacket or also known as a

donkey jacket which they used when cold because layering outfit is a must. A couple of them

tries to wear a Santa Claus costume to give entertaining and to enjoy the people especially the

children.

Eventually, I have a pretty good impression of the Franciscan values of Argentina in how

did they celebrate or practice celebrate their Christmas. First is by showing certain respect to

someone, giving or exchanging messages to people who are close with family and friends,

having unity regarding attending mass with families, from time to time some Argentines become

generous to each everyone and being lovingly when it comes to adequately treating their fellow

Argentines.

All I can say here in the Philippines a dime a dozen or something common in their

traditions and practices is also what we did here in our country. Like, for instance, is showing

respect, here in our country during Christmas one of the values that will never be forgotten is

having respect because we know as individuals this is the most significant thing of value to

become respectable. Then the second one is we also, give letters to our acquaintances as

Christmas greetings and giving thank too. Moreover, we Filipinos also become generous when it

comes to Christmas or even without occasions because one of our traditions is our beloved

Godfather and Godmother gives money to their godchild. Lastly, one of the unforgettable

behavior or values is being lovely, during Christmas, we all become more lovable to each
everyone simply because we believe this is the way on how we can be forgiven and thankful to

our family, neighbors, and friends.

Come to an end, I found out that many things happen during Christmas in Argentina and

also, I attain a lot of knowledge on how Argentina celebrate their Christmas. Besides, let us love

and further strengthen the traditional practices during Christmas in our country.