I’m learning so much about Western holiday traditions through this project. We grew up celebrating Christmas in a different way.

When December arrives, children will gather together and will sing Christmas carols from house to house. The house owner will give a few cents in return for their singing and the children will then split their earnings as they call the night off. Most will do it for several days to save and be able to buy something they want for Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, families will wait for 12 midnight to arrive and will feast on a Noche Buena. Exchange gift is sure to follow and families will celebrate for a few more hours. On Christmas mornings, we will visit families and relatives and they give us gifts and/or money.

It’s a whole different kind of fun!