The Christmas in Venezuela is much more than just a date on the calendar, it is a magical time filled with memories, laughter and Christmas traditions that unite us.
As these dates approach, we can't help but feel that the nostalgia floods us.
We remember those days when we gathered with our friends and family, each one bringing their own joy and their own flavour to the celebration.
The streets were filled with music, lights and of that unmistakable aroma of the hallacas cooking slowly in the kitchen.
We imagine children running around and playing with their skates and bikeswhile the adults were busy preparing dinner and sharing anecdotes.
Every corner of our home was carefully decorated, and the nativity scene became the centre of our celebration, a reminder of what really matters: love and family togetherness.
Although we are far away from our homeland today, these Christmas traditions accompany us and fill us with warmth.
They teach us to celebrate Christmas wherever we are, embracing and valuing our roots as we look to the future with hope.
Therefore, in this article, we will share with you those fond memories of Christmas in VenezuelaThe city is a reflection of our identity that we carry in our hearts, no matter the distance.
The magic of potatoes
Ah, the potatoes... What memories! Every Christmas, we boys would gather in the street, full of energy and emotion.
Entire avenues were closed and we transformed our little world into one big funfair. Everyone came with whatever they had: skateboards, roller skates, bicycles or anything with wheels.
The christmas parties sounded everywhere, filling the air with these infectious rhythms that made us dancing and laughing.
We were infected by the Christmas spiritenjoying the music and the company of our loved ones. As we rolled from one side to the other, we were also treated to a good newsprint.
For the big ones, there was cream punch, that of Eliodoro Gonzalez P, that felt like a warm embrace on a cool evening - how could I forget!
And, of course, there was no shortage of games. We played secret friendbut as good as they are Venezuelans, we always put our own spark in the tradition.
I remember the crazy variations we came up with. Sometimes the game consisted of making "the stolen gift", where the laughter was more important than the gift itself.
At other times, we would get together to do the secret friend with the ugliest gift we would have received, in the hope of getting rid of it.
The creativity and laughter were always in the air, making every encounter something unforgettable.
And did you know that the potatoes have their origin in the christmas holidays which were held in the fifties?
When the whole village was out on the streets after the masses and religious celebrationspeople came together, shared meals and laughter, and so it was that this was how this tradition evolved into the popular celebration we know.
Making hallacas used to turn into a real party
What a delight the Christmas when the time was approaching to make hallacas! This work became a real family party which began days before the dinner.
We all gathered at home, each with his or her own role, full of excitement and the desire to share. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and delicious aromasand the kitchen became our centre of operations.
Mothers and grandmothers were in charge of the stewThe mixture of meat and spices filled the house with an irresistible smell.
Meanwhile, the men were cleaning and cutting the banana leavespreparing them to wrap each hallaca with care.
And the children, they had the task of putting up the raisins It was a special moment! A way of contributing to the tradition that had been passed down from generation to generation.
In addition, making the hallacas was an art, and mooring was crucial. We all had to pay attention, because it depended on it that every hallaca was properly closed. This delicate task, while at times seeming challenging, was also a source of laughter and complicity.
Everyone tried to do their part, and in the end, the teamwork turned into a great feast.
And the fact is that doing hallacas was a party in itself. We sat around the table, sharing stories and enjoying the process. The joy of creating something so special and so typical of our Christmas united us.
When it was finally time to cook them, the smell that pervaded the house was the best treat of all.
So, if you are outside the VenezuelaWe invite you to follow along with these Christmas traditionsbecause the hallacas are not just another dish, they are a part of us, a part of our identity, and every bite is filled with memories and family love.
It is a act of love that proves that, no matter where we are, we will always carry our roots in the heart.
Christmas delicacies: ham bread and chicken salad
In our Christmas tableThere are two indisputable protagonists that cannot be missing: the ham bread and chicken salad.
Ever since we were little, we have looked forward to those dishes that not only fill our stomachs, but also the hearts of our children. memories and flavour.
The ham bread is a delicacy that accompanies us on every celebration. When mum would start preparing it, the smell of the dough baking would fill the house and make us salivate with anticipation.
I remember how every mouthful was an explosion of flavour, with that sweet ham, olives and sultanas that combined in a perfect blend.
Moreover, we enjoyed it not only at home, but also at home.or we gave to friends and familycarrying a little piece of our tradition to every corner.
And what about the chicken salad. Although similar to Russian salad, it has its own special touch that makes it unique.
That colourful plate, full of small pieces of chicken, carrots, peas and mayonnaisealways occupied a privileged place at our table.
Preparing it was another opportunity to get together as a family, sharing laughter and anecdotes while everyone added their own personal touch.
As we look back, we feel that every morsel of ham loaf and every spoonful of chicken salad carry with them the warmth of our homes.
If you want to do these delicious recipes in the next few Christmas, in our article on the Venezuelan Christmas dish we explain how to do it step by step in a very simple way.
Decorating our homes, one of the best Christmas traditions
The arrival of Christmas was not only felt in the air, but also in every corner of our houses, which were transformed into a true spectacle of lights and colours.
Decorating for the holidays was an activity we all looked forward to. From a young age, we would get involved in every detail, helping to hanging ornaments and bringing life to our home.
Some families opted for a Christmas pineadorned with shiny spheres, garlands and, of course, a star on the tip.
But what could not be missing in any house was the birth. There he was Saint Joseph, Mary and, of course, the Child Jesuswhich was added on the morning of 25 December.
Sometimes, the birth was a masterpiece, an elaborate set with figurines and beautiful landscapes; other times, it was something simpler, like a drawing stuck on the fridge.
But regardless of its form, the The birth always represented the most important thing about Christmas.: the love and hope.
The decoration of the house was not just an aesthetic issue, it was a moment of family togetherness. I remember how we spent hours laughing and sharing stories as we put up each ornament. The music of Christmas greetings was playing in the background, and the atmosphere was filled with joy.
Every corner, every light we hung, was a way of expressing our love for the season and for our culture.
Christmas dinner and Santa's arrival
The night of the 24 December was always one of the most eagerly awaited of the year.
The Christmas dinner was the climax of the festivities, and each of us, big and small, was excitedly preparing for it.
The table was filled with delicacies: hallacas, pan de jamón, ensalada de gallina (chicken salad) and, of course, that special touch that each family gave to their dinner. We were all elegant, ready to celebrate with the family and enjoy the company of our loved ones.
The wait for midnight was magical. As the hours passed, the Christmas carols filled the atmosphere, and the laughter and games kept us going.
But, of course, there was an air of anticipation in the air, for we knew that, when the clock struck twelve, the most exciting hour would arrive: the arrival of Father Christmas or, in some houses, the Infant Jesus.
I remember how we looked anxiously towards the door, listening for any sound that might indicate he had arrived.
In some families, there was this beautiful tradition of the Child Jesus was in charge of bringing the gifts, and we all waited with our hearts pounding with excitement.
It was a moment filled with joy and wonder, and as we opened the gifts, each of us felt a sense of spark of happiness that lit up the night.
One of the Christmas traditions we enjoyed the most was dancing bagpipes and singing aguinaldos after dinner.
The music filled our homes with joy, and the fireworks burst into the sky, filling our souls with happiness. We were united in one song, celebrating the love and family togethernessgrateful for every moment shared.
Curiara invites you to enjoy our customs wherever you are.
At CuriaraWe understand how difficult it can be to experience the festivities outside of our own country. Venezuela.
The distance from our country and the separation from our loved ones can make these dates an emotional challenge. However, we would like to invite you to enjoy a few days with us. Venezuelan Christmas, no matter where you are.
There isn't a city in the world where you can't shop hallacas, homemade cream punch and ham bread.
There are families who are now migrants, who have made hallacas for the first time. Embracing and valuing more than ever our traditions, culture and roots.
These customs remind us that, even though we may be far away, the essence of the Venezuelan Christmas lives in us, and we will always find ways to celebrate it with love and joy, creating new memories to cherish in our hearts.
Curiara, uniting families.
