Our complete exchange rate tool can be found here

Home | Calendar | Events | Transportation | Maps | Hotel | Night Life & Dining | Sight Seeing | Pictures | Businesses | Artists | Food | Helps | History | Language | Music | News | Pastimes | Products | Tradition/Legend | Links | About Us-Contact | Sun-N-Moon Jewelry | Buy Mamajuana | Web Designers |

Home | Important Stuff | Traditions | You Are Here - Christmas page 2

Gifts are not presented until el Dia de los Reyes / 3 Kings' Day also known as Epiphany. This is held on the 6th of January. This is the day when the Wise Men's arrived at the birth place of Jesus. The Kings are the gift givers here in Dominican Republic, not Santa Claus, although some  people choose to give gifts on both days. December 25 in accordance with US custom and January 6th according to Dominican practice. This is because of the strong influence and acceptance of United States customs.

Dominican children wait for the arrival of the Three Kings. They do not leave cookies and milk. Instead they leave grass for the camels and mints or candies for the Kings. They place their offerings either under their beds, outside the bedroom door or out on the outside steps of the home. These offerings are exchanged by the Kings (a.k.a. parents) for gifts for the little ones. Children find it hard to go to sleep and try to stay awake to see the Kings.

In the rural areas and more impoverished neighborhoods, besides the Three Kings and Santa, there is an old tradition of La Vieja Belen. She leaves gifts for the children also.

Many of the businesses will purchase gifts to distribute to the poorer children. It is an all afternoon affair with gifts distributed drawing style. It is fun to watch these children receive these presents. Some are really good gifts including bicycles, doll houses and much more!

We have some basic Spanish Christmas words for your learning pleasure. After you learn the words practice with our Christmas Words Crossword Puzzle.

The Christmas tree in Dominican Republic, in general, is white. I presume the people want to give the illusion of snow. Since they see green year round, what would be so festive about having a tree this color. So, since there is no snow, it is a nice alternative for those looking for a white Christmas.

Another adornment is the Flor de Pascua or Poinsettia. This traditional flower is also known as its Christmas name Estrella de Navidad translated the Star of the Birth of Christ. This flower is known and loved the world over. The difference in Dominican Republic is that it grows outside and the flower can get quite large as opposed to the tiny ones most Northerners are customary see.

A Dominican tradition is the lightning and decorating of the Charamicos (which in Dominican slang is a dry tree branch).  These items are Dominican folk art and can be found in abundance around the country during the Christmas season. One can see them being made and sold in the streets. These decorations are fashioned from straw, tree branches and pliable wood. They are made in the form of angels, cows, deer, some giraffe looking animals, pots, and wreaths. The nicer ones are painted in white and adorned with balls, ribbons and lights. In Santo Domingo a good place to see and purchase these decorations is along Churchill Avenue between Ave. 27 de Febrero and Kennedy Ave. They have every variety and type one might fancy. If you want something special tell the men and maybe they can whip you up what is your hearts desire.

Another decoration is the traditional Nacimiento/ Nativity Scene. It is refreshing to see around the country, in front of stores and Government buildings, Nativity scenes. They are not outlawed here as in USA.

A great souvenir to take home at Christmas time would be a Muñecas Limé white ceramic crèche For more information on what is a Muñeca Limé go to our souvenirs page here

Christmas Dinner and Food

Since there are always guests in the house or people visiting one can always find some soup/ asopao or sancocho (recipe for sancocho) cooking and ready for serving during the entire holiday season.

The big celebration is on Nochebuena/ Christmas Eve and the dinner taken then is the most substantial. Christmas Day is for left overs and recuperation. There is so much food. It seems in USA the big Christmas Eve spread is mainly cookies and sweets. From what I have observed, the Dominican Christmas Eve dinner is much like the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner celebrated in USA. So much food and family! Everyone is stuffed to the brim and still desires more.

Some of the traditional foods prepared painstakingly by the ladies, sometimes men help a little, are so incredible. The aromas, along with the ambiance, throughout the house are wondrous.

After dinner when everyone has stuffed themselves to the brim it is time to relax. We pull up the chairs and sit on the porch. Talking to the people in the street passing by. Everyone is so festive. The ladies go to the neighbors that can't get out or cook for themselves and take plates of food. We drink some rum or some beer and enjoy. It's fun to make the rounds and stop and visit some close friends. But always end up back home to hang out with the family. Even for me, I have no blood family in the Dominican Republic, my adopted Dominican family has made me feel like one of them. I am right at home and they accept me during all holidays and special occasions.

Some towns throughout Dominican Republic have their own traditions.

Throughout the Dominican Republic you will see Navidad decorations. Many of the streets are adorned with lights, trees and other unique items. Most of the street decorations in the neighborhoods are purchased by the Junta de Vecinos (these are elected neighbors, voted on by the neighborhood throughout the year) The few months before December you may see some bake sales and people selling crafts and other items. The moneys collected go for the purchase of the neighborhood decorations and sometimes for a band or entertainment for the neighborhood and anyone that happens to join in.

Traditions | Songs | El Burro y El Pavo song and lyrics | Children | Decorations | Traditional Foods | Town  and Neighborhood Traditions | Pictures of Christmas in Colonial Zone and Dominican Republic |

La Vega celebrates la Verbena de Navidad. In this celebration the entire town parades through the street celebrating and enjoying. Lines of people hold hands, walking behind the towns band of musicians. The tempo of the parade picks up and you have to run to keep up with the multitude of humans. As the parade nears its finish people are running, still holding their hands. You best keep up with the crowd or you tumble to the ground. Many lose shoes and other items, but it is a good time and a fun tradition

I will add more as I learn about them...

Here is Colonial Zone there are many different street parties throughout the holiday season. Many times entire roads are closed for a big band to set up and play so everyone can dance end enjoy throughout the night. The old neighbors and families usually come back to their neighborhood to meet and greet old friends. To see some videos I took of one of the parties and park picture go to my blog (opens in new window).