‘Tis the season to spread the holiday cheer! People around the world gather together and celebrate this time of year with customs and traditions that create heartwarming and unforgettable memories. We asked the team members of Puerto Rico Sotheby’s International Realty to share their favorite family holiday traditions. Learn more of the unique traditions and see if you, too, celebrate them at home with your loved ones.
Must-Have Gingerbread Cookies
“My kids consider baking gingerbread men cookies a must for Christmas time. I just went all over town trying to get molasses to make gingerbread men, and, thank God I found them! On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, I also prepare the typical Puerto Rican holiday meal: ‘Arroz con gandules and pernil’.” – Rita Pellens
Christmas Light Show & Pictures with Theodore
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“On Christmas Eve, our family goes to midnight service at church. Afterwards, we drive around looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations while listening to Christmas music. More recently, our Goldendoodle, Theodore is invited to visit Nordstrom at the Mall of San Juan for pictures with the Christmas decor and to spread some holiday cheer.”
Midnight Mass at St. John the Divine
Facebook: St. John the Divine, NYC
“While living in NY, ever since our daughter was born, we attended midnight mass. For many of those years we did so at St. John the Divine, one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the United States. There, we sat for hours watching dancers, listening to heavenly music emanating from the cavernous ceilings and organs. Our daughter would revel in excitement as the evening begun, and quickly faded, but this tradition lasted until she no longer fell asleep in my lap, where we welcomed in another glorious Christmas Day.” – Margaret Pena–Juvelier
Nativity Reenactment & Traditional Cuban Feast
“For as long as I can remember, for Christmas Eve, the children in my family have re-enacted the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the Three Kings…even the donkey (nowadays it’s my brother in law who plays the donkey…and yes, we love him dearly). Throughout the day the pig roasts in the traditional ‘caja china‘ (chinese box) which we later feast on, accompanied by ‘congris’, ‘yuca’, and, of course, all the ‘flanes’ and Cuban desserts one can think of. At midnight, for those who have not passed out after the big meal, we attend the midnight mass or ‘misa de gallo’.” – Sandra Cuba
Snowy Travels, Coquito, & the Best Lechón Asado
“During the holidays, my family and I always fly out to a cold weather city to get our fix of snow and freezing temperatures. This way, when we come back to paradise, we can continue appreciating our amazing year-round weather. Back home, I drink the best ‘coquito’ in the world, my mom’s, in both regular and pistachio flavor. On December 24th, we head over to the ‘lechonera’ Angelitos Place (Wall Street Journal; 2014), to get the best ‘Lechón Asado, Pasteles, Guineitos and Arroz con Gandules.’ While we wait for the food to be served, I enjoy drinking a beer ‘vestida de novia’ (ice cold beer). ” – Ricardo Rodríguez
Baked Goods Gift Exchange
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“I love to bake during the fall and winter holidays. In our home, we share food or baked goods with family as gifts. We enjoy the time we spend with each other eating and telling stories during the Christmas season. One thing that became a staple during the meal was my pumpkin bread and red velvet cupcakes. So, every time the Christmas season comes, I stick up on banking goodies to make up for the rest of the year when we are to busy to just eat and enjoy our family!” – Oriana Juvelier
Parranda! Family Holiday Tradition
“I am a glad to have lived in the time where ‘Parranda Navideña’ was a normal Christmas custom in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I was 15 years old, my family was surprised by an ‘Asalto Navideño’ (Puerto Rican Christmas caroling)! All of my mom and dad’s friends and co-workers showed up with instruments and sang the local festive songs. There was even a piano in the back of a truck. At 12:00 am we got up to the music, served them food and drinks while they continued with the music. After an hour or so, it was time to go to the next house and this time we joined the group until wee hours in the night. That is a true Puerto Rican holiday tradition.” – Yolanda Korff
So, how do you celebrate this special time of the year? What unique holiday traditions do you share with your family? Let us know!
Happy Holidays!
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