Christmas with a Latino family / friend 101
If lucky enough, you will be invited to spend Christmas Eve with a latino friend /family ,here are some pointers to help you make a good impression:
- We Celebrate Christmas Eve.
Make sure you have the date and time right. Latinos usually get together the night of the 24th. We dance, eat , play some games and wait for the birth of Jesus at midnight (try to take an afternoon nap, trust us), then we toast, drink , play and dance some more. (yes , you are part of the familia now, learn a couple of dance moves, you'll be alright)
- Dress accordingly.
This is the one time of the year where we go through great lengths to get all the family together , most people go out shopping for this especial occasion. It is our opinion that it is better to be a little bit over dressed than under.Not all families are the same, but chances are everyone will try to look nice. There is no need to rent a tux , just look presentable, show that you put some effort and you will be fine.
- Don't show up empty handed.
You should always ask if there is something that you could bring the night of, and that will show great consideration from your part. Chances are you are told that there is no need to bring anything. don't fall for it, especially if this is the first time you'll be meeting some people.
Sweets are your friends, for the safest path, bring a bottle of sweet wine or/and dessert. ( We would also suggest to avoid the cheap stuff at Walmart), it would be nice to put a Ribbon on it.
If you really want to hit a home run, bring a bag of candy for the kids ( because there will be kids, believe us), here is the catch, don't just give it to somebody, make the kids play for it , easy games as Simon Says( the Spanish version is called El rey pide = The King demands ) giving out candy every round will earn you the title of “the really cool gringo who came on christmas that time”.
- Compliment everything.
Families really put an effort to host that evening, compliments will go a long way in your relationship with them, here are some examples:
- ¡ Que rico ! = So tasty! (It will be tasty, no reason to lie)
- ¡ Que Bonito Nacimiento! = What a beautiful Nativity Scene! .Someone probably spent hours setting it up. In some houses, the "Pesebre” or "Nacimiento" is their Pride and Joy.
- Si, por favor = Yes, please .This one works when you are being offered more food, or asked if you want some food to go, the right answer is always "Si, por favor”.
- Gracias =Thankyou . Pretty Self Explanatory.
- Con su Permiso =with your permission. This one is used every time you enter a house and it would be a good idea to repeat it every time, it shows respect.
- ¡ Feliz Navidad a todos != Merry Christmas Everybody ! . Look at you, it may be that sweet sweet wine you brought but you're practically fluent now!
-Take good care of your self.
Some of my friends found out that carrying a bottle of Peptobismol ,and taking a nap in the afternoon really helps (second time we mention the Nap, it is important).
On that note , there will be a lot of food available, if you can’t or don’t want to eat spicy food you could say:
Lo siento, no puedo comer picante=I’m sorry, I can’t eat spicy food.
We have also set up a Spotify playlist of Spanish christmas songs ,so we can all Jolly together:
If you really want to win some people over, you can show off your skills at tying tamales or humintas up!
The tying part starts at 8.18.
On a final note, it is important that you try to have some fun,
We wish you all the best and let us know how it went at:
team@the-spanish-update.com
¡ Felices Fiestas !
...y prospero año nuevo
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