An important character of this country's Christmas traditions is Viejito Pascuero or Old Man Christmas. He resembles a smaller sized Santa Claus which many say is because this country has smaller chimneys. Since Christmas falls in the hot summer, families often gather together for outdoor fun and sports from surfing to rock climbing!

The ancient Mayan culture mixed with Spanish Christianity has created unique Christmas traditions in this country. Posadas (religious processions) pass through the streets in the nine days before Christmas, accompanied by drums and fireworks. Figures of Mary and Joseph are carried to selected houses where a carol is sung asking for lodging. They are accepted in, where they are laid to rest for the night. Once the procession is over, it's time to feast! Street vendors sell a traditional fruit drink called ponche de frutas, made of bananas, papayas, pineapples and apple.

In this country, Christmas celebrations are held from December 12th to January 6th. A popular Christmas flower is the poinsettia. The legend goes that a little girl was walking to church to visit the Nativity scene, when she realised she had nothing to offer the Christ child. Saddened by this thought, her cousin told her "I am sure that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." Not knowing what else to do, the girl gathered together a bunch of common weeds growing at the roadside. The other children laughed at her, but when she laid them by the manger, they began to bloom in bright red poinsettia flowers. From that day on, the bright red flowers are known as Flores de Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night.

In this country, the main celebrations take place on Christmas Eve, with Mass in the afternoon and then home for dinner and festivities. Since the weather is warm, it not unusual to have a barbeque or picnic as the main Christmas meal. Pan dulce (bread filled with sweets) and sidra (cider) or champagne are served with dessert. The evening festivities include lighting paper ballons (globos) and watching them float upwards, illuminating the night sky.

Many people in this country go to Midnight Mass or 'La Misa Del Gallo' (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born. Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena. In the days before Nochebuena, children might take part in 'piden el aguinaldo' where they go and sing carols around their neighbors hoping to get some money!

After the midnight service, one old tradition was for people to walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. One saying is 'Esta noche es Noche-Buena, y no es noche de dormir' which means 'Tonight is the good night and it is not meant for sleeping!'

If you’re in this country on Christmas Eve, don’t be surprised when you hear fireworks erupting at midnight as friends and family members toast one another with fresh cider. You may end up hanging out and having fun until late, but not to worry; you can spend Christmas Day relaxing on the beach (it’s summer here).

In this country, it’s Baby Jesus rather than Santa Claus who delivers gifts to children. And while it’s definitely too hot for ice skating, during the patinatas you will see plenty of roller-skating and bike riding in the fresh air to kick off the season.

In most Spanish-speaking countries, __________________ marks the end of the Christmas season.

What is "Nochebuena"?