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Colombian Holidays

What makes Colombia a great place to spend Christmas and New Year? Well, if you are Colombian or at least have spent Christmas or New Years in Colombia, you may know that the energy during that time is kind of different from what other countries do for those special events. It is amazing to get to know all these special activities Colombians do as traditions to celebrate these great holidays… But I am going to explain to you some of the famous customs we have.

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To start with, Christmas celebrations differ from New Year's ones, because they include a totally different theme and ideology. Christmas is more about family time. An example is when all the family reunites in a house, where you give and receive presents, when you pray the “novenas” and eat “natilla con buñuelos”, but mostly it all occurs because of Christ’s birth. Of course, each family celebrates Christmas in their own way, but there are some common manners that Colombians do. For example, on Christmas, the “Burrito Sabanero” song is a total hit, a Colombian that doesn't know it, is definitely not Colombian. Or even people start to decorate Christmas in their homes in October, it may sound a bit crazy,but you start seeing Christmas trees before Halloween, funny isn't it? Another tradition is the “natilla”. It's insane

 to know that there are more “natilla” flavors than soda flavors. You can get passion fruit, cinnamon, coconut, chocolate, or even “arequipe natilla”, but what is traditional is that your grandma may be the one who prepares it, and like it or not, it always tastes so good. The final Christmas tradition is on December 24th, when you stay up all night till midnight to open the presents, but before that, you eat a delicious dinner, pray the “novena” and sing or dance songs from “Los Hispanos” or “Rodolfo Aicardi”. 

Now, about the New Years' celebration, it includes lots of traditions and superstitions. For example, the most common one is to eat twelve grapes, at 12 am (midnight) while the bells in “Olimpica stereo” radio station sound, and for each grape you eat you have to make a wish for the new year. Also, there is a common slogan that says “Desde Septiembre se siente que viene Diciembre” (Since September it feels like December is coming) so radio stations, especially “Olimpica stereo” start to tune the type of music Colombians hear in December, even they include some sirens as if the world is going to end. Also during New Year, there is this tradition that says to get under the table at midnight, exactly at 12:00am, to get a girlfriend or a boyfriend, so if you are kind of feeling lonely these days, now you know a trick that may help you find a partner. Another custom is to get dressed in yellow underwear that day, so it may bring you good luck in the next year. Additionally, some people at midnight get a suitcase and start to go “around la Manzana” or around the block, because it may bring them money to travel the next year. The most important thing in the New year is to state some personal goals to achieve during the subsequent year. Of course, the idea is to fulfill them, but it depends on each person. 

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​To conclude, Colombian holidays are really important and special, each holiday is filled with traditions, games and entertainment that help to unify family and friends in the same place. I believe that these traditions, and more, make this country unique and beautiful, so if you are considering traveling to Colombia during the holidays, do not hesitate to, cause I assure you that you will not regret it at all. I hope you get to try all the “natilla” flavors and listen to “Olimpica stereo” to make Christmas and New Years unforgettable.

Ana Catalina Hernandez 10B
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