Holiday Preparations in Latin American Households
Hi everyone, Jorge here! Today is Christmas Eve. In the US, especially in Latin American families, getting ready for the holiday is a lot of work. Everyone wakes up early to prepare the feast for dinner. My family would get up at 7 or 8 in the morning and cook non-stop until 6 pm. Each year, a different family member would host the dinner party, and we’d all bring different dishes. We always had so much food that after eating and opening presents, everyone would take home leftovers for the next day. Do you prepare food for your Christmas dinner? Maybe you go out to eat? Or do other family member make food?
Christmas Day Traditions
Christmas Day is usually a lazy day, recovering from eating and drinking too much. We watch holiday movies or play new video games with family and friends online. When I was young, most of my family lived very close together. Now, almost all my cousins have moved to different cities, states, or even countries. Currently, two family members live abroad, in either China or Japan. It’s cool, isn’t it? We both chose to live in Asia, while the rest of my cousins mostly started their careers in other states. It can be a little sad since we only get together for funerals now. But thanks to technology, I can contact them and talk on the phone if I want to, so I don’t feel too lonely. We follow each other on social media, too, so I know they’re all doing great.
Federal Holidays and Missing Home
In the US, the 24th and 25th are federal holidays. Depending on the year, the President may declare these days as holidays for everyone, giving us four-day weekends to relax or party. Sometimes, I miss that, as here in Japan, I have to work on both dates. This will be my 7th Christmas away from home and working. It was tough my first and second years. Spending the holidays away from home, when they were heavily celebrated, to suddenly not celebrating at all, can be shocking. But you slowly get used to it. Sometimes, I’d meet up with friends after work and have a Christmas dinner, where we’d all cook something simple from our own countries and share it. It’s a cute way to spread the Christmas spirit while living abroad.
Christmas as a Couples’ Holiday in Japan
I find it interesting that in Japan, Christmas has become a couples’ holiday. Viva capitalism! A KFC advertisement in Japan pushed the idea that Americans eat turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it must come from KFC. I’ve had cute interactions with students who asked about this, and I explained the differences in how Christmas is celebrated in the US, particularly in Latin American households.
Celebrating Christmas in Different Ways
It’s interesting to learn about different cultures and how everyone celebrates Christmas. How do you celebrate Christmas? With friends, which has become more common recently? Maybe with your lover? Or are you more old-fashioned and celebrate it with your family? Perhaps you don’t celebrate it at all. There’s no wrong way to spend the 24th, as long as you’re happy.
