Christmas Traditions around Caracola Beach and Spa Resort

Holiday Decorations
Most people decorate both the inside and outside of their homes with bright lights. And it is also very common for them to put up a Christmas tree as well, but the most authentic Venezuelan custom is to display a nativity scene (Nacimiento). Venezuelan nativity scenes are very descriptive and usually represent the entire region including the mountains, hills, plains, and valleys, all centered around a replica of the manger at Bethlehem. Many modern day versions even include electric trains, boats on the sea, and cartoon figures, along with the traditional shepherds, pilgrims, kings, and the Holy Family.

These often become a real work of art.

Holiday Traditions around Isla Margarita
The religious celebrations begin on December 16th where an early morning mass (Misa de Aguinaldo) is held every morning leading up to December 24th when mass is held at midnight (Misa de Gallo).

On December 25th, Christmas Day, children awaken to find gifts around the Nativity Scene or Christmas tree. And their tradition has it that it is the Child Jesus who brings gifts to the Venezuelan children instead of Santa Claus.

The Christmas festivities officially come to an end on January 6th, the Day of the Reyes Magos, when children again will receive toys and candies. Christmas is the main holiday when all Venezuelan families come together and celebrate.

Traditional Holiday Meals
During this time, families get together to enjoy the traditional holiday meal which includes: hallacas, pan de jamon, and dulce de lechoza. Hallacas are typically a mixture of chicken, pork, beef, capers, olives, and raisins wrapped in cornmeal dough, bound with string within plantain leaves and boiled or steamed before eating. Pan de jamon is a long bread filled with cooked ham and raisins, and dulce de lechoza is a dessert made of green papaya and brown sugar.