As we are raising money for Guatemala, here are some wonderful ways that the country celebrates Christmas.
- Christmas usually takes place on the 24th December.
- One traditional food at Christmas in a Tamale (photo below), which is a dish made from ground corn moistened with water and is filled with a piece of meat and then wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed or boiled. The tamale dates back to the Mesoamerican civilisations. They are eaten all year round, but have a special place at Christmas for the Guatemalan family.
- The big Christmas meal is usually eaten on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is more relaxed.
- Fireworks are a big part of Christmas celebrations, and are always let off at midnight on the 23rd December to ring in Christmas Day (24th).
- The lead up to Christmas usually involves different parades, such as El Quema del Diablo (Burning on the Devil) on December 7th, as well as the Procesíon de la Virgen de Concepcíon (Procession of the Immaculate Conception) dedicated to the Virgin Mary, on December 7th.
- A top favourite for all Guatemalans is the preparation and drinking of Ponche. Ponche is a drink made with various seasonal fruits that are boiled with sugar and served hot. The aroma of the drink is as pleasant as the drinking of it.
