Christmas in Chile accounts to great merry making and thrill. Thrill, because of the traditional drinks enjoyed by all in the family and merry making since it is the festival one had been waiting for the past one year!
Chileans observe holiday on Christmas. As the summers have arrived, long days and beach parties and picnics generally do the orders here. As many households here exhibit the joint family system wherein several generations of members of the family stay together, Christmas in Chile is a time when the extended members too come to visit one another and it is a big party even at home.
Decorations in the Chilean homes begin many days prior to the Christmas day and the Christmas tree along with the presents, gifts and other ornaments are housed in nearly all homes. People also buy gifts and goodies for relatives and friends to be given on the Christmas day.
The two occasions of Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day are celebrated with equal zeal. On Christmas Eve, on 24th December, people go to the church or cathedrals to attend the Midnight Mass. Jesus the Savior will be born the next day and therefore all are geared to welcome him to this world.
After the Midnight Mass is over, people gather around the Christmas tree at home and open the gifts. While the children are out in the streets, happy about the toys they receive, the elders rejoice with relatives and friends. Dancing, singing of carols and the drinking of ‘Rompon’, a special Christmas drink is widespread on Christmas Eve in Chile. The late supper is a sumptuous spread of Chicken, meat, salad, rice and most importantly the Christmas pudding. All the members of the family spend the entire night, out, on Christmas Eve.
The notion of Papa Noel or Father Christmas visiting little children is also prevalent in the Chilean society. He is fondly referred to as Viejito Pascuero, and usually he climbs down the chimneys to present the little members of the family.
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