As the holiday season approaches, people around the world begin preparing to celebrate this merry time of year! For many of us, this means decorating cookies, stuffing stockings, and topping the tree with a Christmas star. But did you know that the Dominican Republic has several of its own unique traditions for this festive time of year? From sharing the love during gift exchanges to special Christmas dinners, the holiday fun doesn’t end!
Join us here at Casa Linda Quality Communities, as we have a closer look at some of the most popular Dominican Christmas traditions! Read on!
#1: El Angelio: A Special Gift Exchange
Gift giving is one of the hallmarks of the Christmas season, where people share their appreciation for one another in the form of presents. One way people do this is through organized gift exchanges within families, friend groups, schools, workplaces, and beyond.
Those celebrating Christmas in the Dominican Republic often do so with what’s known as El Angelito. This gift exchange is similar to Secret Santa, but it involves giving several smaller gifts over the course of a few days. At the very end, the final gift is given along with the grand reveal of who your gift-giver was all along!
#2: The Art of the Charamicos
During Christmas in the Dominican Republic, it’s common to see multicoloured, rustic decor brightening street corners, storefronts, and even front lawns! These special pieces are known as charamicos, a decorative art form that originated in the Dominican Republic. Charamicos are traditionally made from dried wood and sticks, which are then expertly crafted into stunning ornamental decor. You’ll find charamicos in the shape of Christmas trees, stars, reindeer, and more in brilliant, vibrant colors!
#3: Merry, Cheery Christmas Caroling
Christmas caroling holds a special place in the hearts of many in the Dominican Republic, where it’s known as aguinaldo. It’s not uncommon to come across groups of family and friends visiting neighbourhood houses to carol during evenings and weekends. But instead of being acapella, aguinaldo adds an extra-special twist with the involvement of traditional instruments like guitars, tamboras, and maracas!
Some popular Christmas songs you may hear include:
- Volvió Juanita
- Feliz Navidad
- Noche de Paz
- Mi Burrito Sabanero
- Alegre Vengo de la Montaña
#4: A Yule-Tide Dinner with Loved Ones!
What’s better than spending quality, merry time with your loved ones? How about spending it enjoying delicious holiday foods! During Christmas in the Dominican Republic, families and friends come together for a grand feast known as La Cena de Nochebuena! During this holiday meal, you’ll commonly find classic Caribbean-Christmas dishes like Pernil and Moro de Guandules!
At Casa Linda, we strive to uphold this tradition. Every year at our on-site restaurant, we offer a deliciously festive Christmas dinner! Enjoy classics like savoury stuffed turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, homemade pies, and more! Follow our Facebook page to keep up to date on exact details!
#5: Midnight Mass
Christmas in the Dominican Republic has deep cultural ties to the country’s Catholic heritage. Catholicism is the predominant religion in the Dominican Republic, with roughly 70% of the country identifying as such. As a result, Christmas in the Dominican Republic often involves midnight mass. Also known as La Misa del Gallo (or the Rooster’s Mass), this tradition often involves festive hymns, joyful singing, scripture readings of the Nativity story, and communion celebrations.
This is an incredibly special time, involving connection with one another. For many Dominicans, Christmas officially starts when La Misa del Gallo ends.
Celebrate Cheer with Casa Linda
Don’t just learn about Christmas in the Dominican Republic, join our warm, welcoming expat community and experience it for yourself! After all, who says the holidays need snow to be magical? Connect with us today to hear more about our stunning expat community in the heart of the DR’s north coast.
