Christmas Traditions in Colombia Christmas is a very special time of the year, and a lot of traditions related to food, omens, music, partying and family have been a part of the Colombian culture over decades. As you might know, we don´t have seasons here per sé, but the end of the year is normally summer, unlike countries from the northern emisphere. We don´t have snow, so Christmas looks a bit different over here. Christmas time oficially begins on December 7th, in a tradition named "The Night of the Candles", where people light candles on their porches and doorways to welcome christmas. It was originally meant as a catholic tradition, since December 8th is the day of the Immaculate Conception. Another important tradition here is the "Novena de Aguinaldos", which is a 9-day period prior to Christmas day, where people get together with their families, share nice meals and pray and read stories about the backgrounds of the birth of Jesuschrist, and after that they usually sing carols. Colombian cuisine has a variety of gorgeous flavors and ingredients due to our biodiversity, and of course Christmas traditional meals are to-die-for!! We eat turkey, gouda cheese, ham and all that of course, but there are other typical things like buñuelos (corn dough-cheese balls) or natilla (cinnamon, corn flour,cinnamon based jelly thing) that make one go crazy. We open the presents at night on December 24th, after the Christmas eve dinner. Some people usually turn on the radio around 5 minutes before midnight to hear the countdown, and later they cherish and give each other the best wishes for the season. "Baby Jesus" is the one who brings presents to the kids, not Santa Claus, who is known as "Papa Noel", and whose image is used only in decorations and so. Fireworks are a tradition too, although only professionals are legally allowed to use them. Sadly a lot of ignorant people here don´t stick with the rule, and people usually get accidentally burned, especially innocent children who pay for the stupidity of the older ones. Some other idiots also like to drive their drunk asses back home after the party, so we have to be extra careful when driving during the holidays. Bottom line, Christmas in Colombia is a lot about being around people we love, and those like me who grew up with economic deprivations were taught to enjoy the spirit of the season and not to keep up with the Joneses all the time. Party on, people! Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy, peaceful, and enviromentally careful 2013!!