Country Article / Postcards
Warm Holiday Wishes from Argentina
Date: 12/23/2004Christmas is fast approaching, and with it come the high temperatures! Yes, we are in the Southern Hemisphere, and we're just beginning our summer.
Argentina is a very Christian, family-oriented country, so Christmas is a big deal here. Our celebrations start on the evening of Dec. 24th with a family dinner, maybe after going to church. It's not unusual here to have 20 to 30 people getting together at one family member's home. In most cases everybody brings something tasty, and the party is on!
The Christmas table here includes cold cuts, maybe a honey-glazed ham, cold turkey, plenty of salads, and vegetable tarts. Most of the food is served cold due to the heat. Although we have dry fruit (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds) for decoration, not too many are eaten. Instead ice cream, cakes, fruit, and the eternal "dulce de leche" (an Argentine version of crème caramel, or milk jam) complete the meal.
As up north in the States, Santa Claus, here known as Papá Noel, arrives sometime during the night, and the children rush to discover their gifts early in the morning. Christmas Day then brings another excuse to have another family gathering, maybe with the other side of the family.
New Year's Eve, families get together to welcome the New Year, then, around 2 a.m., the night really gets started! The younger people go dancing until sunrise. Don't be impatient; if you try to go dancing before 2 a.m., all places will be closed, and you'll have to wait until they open.
The chance to have all these festive gatherings outside due to the warm weather is one of the things I like the most about the holiday season here. After a few years of "White Christmas" in Canada, getting into the swimming pool at night and celebrating outdoors is fantastic.
On the downside, when you see poor Papá Noel sweating and melting in the street under his red costume, you wish for a colder Christmas, if only for his sake!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Maria and Paul Reynolds
For International Living in Argentina
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