The Christmas party is a very broad and interesting celebration, is celebrated in all parts of the world although with different customs and rituals, but to these diverse ways of commemorating the date we are united by the celebration of the birth of Jesus, son of God.
As in each country there is a different way to celebrate Christmas, we will review their traditions and other customs in Ecuador, Norway and Italy.
Ecuador
Ecuadorian households share and enjoy moments of family togetherness, where in addition to sharing the traditional Christmas dinner, they develop prayers to welcome the Child God.
CUSTOM
The night of December 24 is key, since it is the night before Christmas Day. That night is what perhaps is the most important dinner of this religious festival.
- The Christmas tree is decorated with colored lights, figurines and fake snow, which is either made with pieces of cotton or sprayed.
- The ninth is another custom that takes place in Ecuador. This period, which runs from December 16 to 24, is what is known as the Aguinaldos era and, despite its religious origin, today is rather an event of a social nature.vary.
TYPICAL FOOD
The main course at a good night's dinner usually consists of turkey or roast pork.
For dessert, pristinos are common, that is, a kind of fried rings made of wheat flour dough,
eggs, vanilla, sugar, baking powder, salt and water. What most characterizes them is their
intense flavor of anise and honey of panela. The most striking thing about this dessert is the
way in which it is served, since it tries to simulate the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ had
in his Calvary.
TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
Riding the manger, representing the birth of Jesus is, as in Spain and other Latin American countries, a custom deeply rooted in Ecuador.
DANCE
In Ecuador tributes are made to Christmas with dances in the streets, presentations in schools or programs in the neighborhood.
They can dance Christmas music with folk steps, which reflect emotion and enthusiasm.
MUSIC
Obviously the Christmas carols is probably the most commemorative that takes place at Christmas time, singing songs like "Burrito sabanero" to "Between curtain and curtain" that brighten the nights of those who make the ninth.
Norway
What most attracts the attention of this time in Norway is the warm decoration of the streets, shops,
houses and Christmas markets.
CUSTOM
Before Christmas, the houses are decorated with:
- Santa Claus dolls
- Angels
- Hearts
- Pine trees with pineapples
- Stars and perhaps a nativity scene or cookie house.
There are many who decorate their houses on the outside with lights and garlands. It is put a Christmas tree in the room. The tree will carry a star on top and will be decorated with tinsel and other Christmas decorations.
TYPICAL FOOD
The most common Christmas food is the pork ribs, but you also
eat cured lamb ribs, cooked cod, roast
pork and turkey. Most fish restaurants and Norwegian specialty
restaurants serve Christmas specialties
in November and December.
You can accompany the meal with a Christmas beer, a somewhat
darker beer that arrives in stores in November.
Rice pudding is a dish of great tradition, it's what Santa Claus eats! In the villages, many take out a plate
of pudding for Santa. If you have pudding left over, you can make a creamy rice dessert. Served with
red sauce, it is a regular dessert of the Christmas meal.
TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
Some parents make cookies with their children, and the most patients make cookies houses.
The cookie house is first used as a Christmas decoration, and eaten when Christmas is over.
Christmas starts at five and most Norwegians have dinner with their families giving a prayer and thanks.
DANCE AND MUSIC
In addition to the many Christmas markets that are organized, there is also a huge amount of Christmas concerts throughout the country. Some hotels and restaurants remain open for their clients, while others close from December 24, until December 26.
The whole country becomes a huge festival of lights that continues to shine for two weeks after New Year's Eve, to preserve the spirit of Christmas stories.
ITALY
For the Italians, Christmas is a party that you have to spend in the company of the
family, tasting the dishes of the 'cenone' and opening the gifts of 'Babbo Natale'
CUSTOM
- A tradition that Italians (particularly in the south of the country) can not give up, is to spend next to their loved ones on Christmas Eve, December 24.
- According to tradition, the Christmas tree appears in Italian houses from December 8, the day of the celebration of the Inmaculada, when families begin to prepare both the tree and the manger.
TYPICAL FOOD
The Italian "cenone" has its rules, the first of which is to eat exclusively fish. Remember that
the menus are not the same in all Italian regions, but there are some typical dishes such
as fried vegetables (a Roman tradition), tartines and fish salad, to start with the entries.
On the 25th you can eat meat. The main course is undoubtedly the baked pasta, a pasta
timbale with tomato sauce, meat and mozzarella pieces on top. A plate of meat very
appreciated is the arrosto, the roasted meat and the roast beef.
TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
Putting the manger is a very appreciated custom in the country, Italians always seek to give a very personal touch to the manger that they assemble in their home.
Tree and manger stay in the Italian houses until the day of Kings, January 6,
the party called "Epiphany" or better known as the "Befana".
DANCE AND MUSIC
As for the subject of dance, they do not like much to
express their happiness with Christmas through their
body, but only doing praises in family and short songs
that represent that it does not matter the quantity
but the quality that one has.
Although the Christmas is after all for the sole purpose of uniting
the family more than ever; no matter the country or the beliefs,
what matters is the union between all people.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
www.cunavidad.com/tradiciones-navidad-italia.php
https://www.visitoslo.com/es/articulos/tradiciones-navidenas/
www.eltiempo.com/vida/viajar/navidad-en-noruega-48018
https://www.viajejet.com/costumbres-y-tradiciones-ecuador/
www.turismo.gob.ec › Noticias
