Its quite colorful and merry, filled with families coming together to celebrate the birth of Jesus christ with traditions that are quite unique and specific to the dominican republic. Dominican Christmas is therefore characterized with warm weather contrary to other parts of the world where Christmas is celebrated with snow and cold weather. This guide will therefore take a look at the most endearing traditions that are peculiar to Dominican Christmas, decorations and activities that are characteristic of the festival.
Unique Dominican Christmas Traditions
La Misa del Gallo: Unique Way of Celebration
It is a traditional activity that cannot be omitted on the Dominican Christmas Eve. This mass is celebrated mid night across the entire country and it symbolizes the beginning of the Christmas celebration. There are many people within the families that come to attend the service where religious tracts are sung, prayers are made, and people are united as one. La Misa del Gallo is a time to celebrate with solemnity of Dominican people in honor of the birth of Christ. This is followed by Santa Claus that in most households parents take to their homes for a late night dinner usually until Christmas dawn.
Aguinaldos: Christmas Carols with a Dominican Twist
Dominican Christmas season is also brought by Aguinaldos which are songs sung with equal color and energy. These are not your normal Christmas songs; they are upbeat, music rhythm of African, Spanish Tano culture. It is a tradition that groups of friends and families go from house to house carried out the tradition of singing aguinaldos. Sometimes their musical instruments include the tambourines, maracas and giras, which give rhythmic beats in the tunes. Such invitees are commonly greeted sweet puddings such as pasteles en hojas or a cup of ginger tea which add on the harmonious themes of the holiday. Aguinaldos are nothing other than the true representation of the celebrative spirit which Dominicans have in the Christmas season.
Festive Decorations and Celebrations
Nochebuena: The Dominican Christmas Eve Feast
The Dominicans love Christmas and the most special and important night of the Dominican Christmas season is the Nochebuena, Night of booms. There is Reports that several families get together for the purpose of enjoying a huge meal that has many local foods and dishes. The feast is not only the bowls and the food but also a moment families can hear from each other, they can hear stories. Espaola Nochebuena relaying joy, laughter and music of loved ones at the end of the year.
Traditional Decorations: Charamicos and More
When it comes to Christmas decoration in the Dominican Republic Charamicos are the order of the country. These animated, handmade ornaments are created from wood or branches and painted in a number of bright colours; they represent trees, stars and different animals. Charamicos have become a representation and reflection of the Dominican holidays and can be observed being placed on doors windows and any open space during the Holidays. Aside from charamicos, most Dominicans have Nacimiento, that is a criptico (elaborate) nativity scene represented by the birth of Jesus Christ. With the help of these accessories and the appearance of the local exotic flora and bright sun, people can have an extraordinary, bright and jolly Christmas in the Dominican Republic.
Popular Festive Activities in the Dominican Republic
Attending Public Parades and Festive Events
Parade and colourful fiesta are quite common calendar items in the Dominican Republic during Christmas time. It is colorful events of floats, dancing troupes, and musicians, all of them wearing cheerful raiment, which are organised in towns and cities of the United States. These parades are luminous extravaganza with music that draws both residents and visitors. Apart from celebrations using floats and music there are other public events like carnivals, concerts, firework display and social corporate gatherings. These activities pull people together and this rejoicing unity is the feelings of the Dominicans during the Christmas period.
Exploring Christmas Markets and Local Fairs
It goes without saying that Christmas markets as well as local fairs are another advantage of the Dominican Republic in December. Such markets include those held at the towns central business district or at recreational parks where people go to enjoy their leisure time with made at the central business district or a park where people go to enjoy their free time with made employments, crafts, family ornaments, and foods among other related items. Tourists can roam around shops that sell everything including charamicos and traditional foods such as turrn and empanadas. They also involve live music and dance and other events and therefore can be regarded as good places for families. Shopping at these markets and fairs allows one to experience and to capture the flow of the Dominican festive occasion.
Celebrating Christmas at Dominican Resorts
Special Christmas Packages and Events
There are various tour facilities in the Dominican Republic that make special preparations for the Christmas celebrations such as the Christmas menus as well as the programs that are set to entertain their clients. These packages are meant to make the guests have an excellent holiday and a feel of a tropical vacation with all that comes with it. Be it Christmas Eve dinner or an entertaining show, these resorts make it possible for visitors to be as festive and as carefree as they would like to be from time to time.
Resort Activities for a Memorable Christmas
Spas also have many of options to make celebrating Christmas in the Dominican Republic unique in resorts. It can offer beach birthday parties, special occasion lighting of the Christmas tree, special events like Santa Claus visit and the likes. To those end-user, who need leisure, most resorts offer spa amenities and health improvement programs relevant to the holiday period. Such activities make sure Christmas at a Dominican resort is a great fun and Christmas time is very special.
Conclusion
Holiday in Dominican Republic is warm and colorful and shares many special features of this magical time of the year. That is why the Dominican Christmas songs consist of the solemn La Misa del Gallo, up-tempo aguinaldos, and even the literally sparkling charamicos. Whether you are strolling down the Christmas markets, watching the public performances, or vacationing at a resort during this wonderful holiday the Dominican Republic has much to offer this holiday season. Its time to welcome the miracles of the Dominicans and brightly celebrate these truly happiest days of the year.