Christmas in Puerto Rico
Earlier this year I met some Mexicans who asked me to tell them fun facts about my
culture, and after some minutes of thinking I decided that since to me it is such an extensive
topic I was going explain my favorite time of the year, Las Navidades Boricuas. Christmas in
Puerto Rico is very unique and full of sazón as we call it. I could not compare it to anything
else, just had to try and give a small example of a typical Christmas night party. For starters,
this can happen between Thanksgiving, the official “Llego la Navida’ ” day or after Three
Kings day because how could I forget to mention Las octavitas. Definitely the longest ones
you’ll see. So, to begin with, Christmas in Puerto Rico are considered to be descomunal1
and chaotic, in a very good way. This is the time where everything is allowed. Parties all
weekend? Yes, it’s Christmas, time to celebrate. Our main symbols for this season are the
typical decorated tree and Santa Claus, but in our way, with what I like to call it El gustito
tropical. One of my favorite things to see during this time is all the different decorations
people come up with and make them something special. Every family has their own tradition,
their own special way of decorating, the table with the Nacimiento and the Tres Reyes
Magos at the entrance. Everything ready to start that first party, that first bayú. Houses are
full with family members you haven’t seen in so long but please, don’t ever say that to your
grandmother because you’ll just get a “Mija como que no te acuerdas, si ella te vió desde
que tenías pampers”, so just save yourself the embarrassment and say hi. Maybe you
haven’t even met them in your life but believe me, the Facebook from la Tia keeps everyone
up to date with every chisme anybody has to know. Also, maybe some of them aren’t even
your family, that women in the corner can be la vecina de la esquina with all her family and
nietos running around your backyard. Oh but be prepared, these people don’t know you that
much but believe me they will talk to you about everything. You will be hearing from la dieta
that is in most of your tías New Year’s resolution, talk about college and your plans or better
off, the typical question after saying your major “Y que vas a hacer con eso?” or talk about if
you have a boyfriend . Just by then the amazing smell of arroz con gandúles, pasteles and
lechón asado will drive you away from the conversation and straight to the giant table with
food. Get ready with the plastic Christmas decorated plates, you are about to have one of
the best home cooked meals. Once your plate is stocked, get ready for dessert because that
flan from abuela’s secret recipe and the neighbor's Tres Leches is ready for you. Let me not
forget about the amazing music playing in the background all along, you’ll have your Tio’s
famous playlist called “Saquen el Pitorro” with Bombazo Navideño . Be ready to dance and
be happy, the party is just getting started, nobody is leaving until that last beer from la
neverita is in somebody’s hand and all the bottles of coquito are over. Enjoy, have fun, dance
and sing, because there is nothing like Navidades en Puerto Rico.