Ecuador Christmas Traditions

Christmas is one of the most celebrated festivals of the world. The festival is the time of the year when people get an opportunity to enjoy with family and friends. The preparations for the festival begin well in advance. People get busy in cleaning homes and decorating them with wreaths, evergreen twigs and lights. The activity of buying a Christmas tree is enjoyed by all the members of the family. Once the tree is brought home, it is decorated with paper flowers, tinsel and ornaments. The entire atmosphere is filled with festive fervor and gusto. The festival brings hope, joy and happiness in everyone's life. The Christmas traditions differ from one nation to other. Christmas traditions in Ecuador have influenced from various cultures prevalent in Latin America.

Christmas in Ecuador was a religious affair for many years. But, today things have undergone change. With commercialization and influence of Western thoughts, the shopping malls are filled with decorations, gifts and Christmas trees. Traditionally, Christmas was celebrated by attending Christmas mass at the church and singing carols. On the Christmas Eve, families come together near the church. They make a bonfire of Eucalyptus branches in the front of the church. Every family brings a ceramic figurine of Jesus and then a procession is held. These ceramic figurines are passed from one generation to other. The figurines are kept in the huge nativity scene created in the church. All these activities take place in company of Christmas carols.

On Christmas day, there is another Christmas mass at 11 in morning. People gather in the church, sing carols and exchange greetings with each other. Gifts are exchanged between friends and family members. Offices give gifts or Christmas bonus to its employees. The entire atmosphere in villages and cities is full of festivity and warm feelings. Charitable organizations, colleges, schools collect funds, clothes, and gifts for the poor and underprivileged children. A lot of wealthy people give donation to the orphanage and needy people.

The commercialization of Christmas with gifts, decoration, Christmas tree is seen in the cities of Ecuador. The peasants in village keep their Christmas simple. The visit to church, carols and simple meal are part of rural Christmas celebration in Ecuador. While in cities, the Christmas festival is celebrated y organizing parties and feasts. People come together to have Christmas dinner after the midnight mass. Today, we can observe the entry of turkey into the feasts. Chicken, beef, boiled potatoes and salads are part of the dinner. Drinks like rum, beer, wine and whisky is served. The dinner is followed by party. Dance and music play an important role in the parties. Drinking and dining are two integral parts of Christmas celebration.

Gifts are opened at midnight of Christmas Eve. The party ends at the wee hours on Christmas day. All the people wake late in morning on Christmas day. Every home has a nativity scene as part of Ecuador Christmas decoration. The nativity scene has figurines of infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph with animals.