Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Around the World for Christmas! First Stop: Argentina

This year, we will be going to climb into Santa’s sleigh and head around the world while he delivers his presents to good boys and girls. We are going to peek in on the celebrations from all of our neighbors celebrating Christmas. Maybe, we will grab a toast or three along the way.

Dress warm; wear your mittens; put your scarf on; wear goggles if you have them. We are on our way!
First stop is Argentina.

Argentina is made up of around 92 percent Catholics, so their celebrations are close to a traditional Catholic celebration filled with Mass and church celebrations. The Argentineans greet you with Feliz Navidad in order to wish you a Merry Christmas.

There are many days of Christmas carols, family gatherings and beautiful decorations in red, green and gold. The doors of the homes are draped in garland, and the Christmas tree may be adorned in lace. Because of the traditional Roman Catholic heritage, the Nativity Scene – persebre – is one of the most important parts of decorating for the holidays. Every family has one, and it is prominently displayed during the season.

Because Christmas falls during a very warm season in Argentina, the Argentineans like to apply cotton balls to the tips of tree branches to simulate snow. You might want to remove your mittens or hats at this point.

Christmas dinner is served on the 24th of December in the evening, and the celebration is followed by a toast for the adults and fireworks to delight the children. Presents are opened at midnight while lovely paper balloons – globos – fly through the night sky, piloted by a lit candle.



Christmas dinner consists of a roast turkey or pork. Stuffed tomatoes, minced pie and puddings accompany the dinner. The main dish could be a roasted duck or a peacock. Another traditional favorite is the ninos enveuettas, which is a combination of minced meat, onions, hardboiled eggs and spices all stuffed into the center of  3-inch strip of steak. This is served with chimichurri. The toast consists of a fruit drink with chunks of fruit. Deserts of dulce de leche (mahvelous caramel) and a lager or two round out the evening.

The blending of Hispanic, European and American traditions make Christmas in Argentina one that most can recognize, but with an amazing combination of blended foods that are sure to delight the taste buds with their spices.

The holiday season is finalized on the 6th of January with the gift of the Three Kings Day being distributed to the children of Argentina. Children place their shoes outside the home, and the Magi come and fill them with gifts. Instead of cookies and milk, Argentinean children put hay and water out for the Magi’s horses. Some children keep their shoes under their beds. Maybe those were the bad kids.

Maybe some of these gifts have found their way into the wrapped presents under the tree.

SolanaKaiDesigns

Swarovski Crystal Glass And Silver-Plated Pewter Rose Necklace in Reds


jnldesigns

Lady in Red Chunky Interchangable Watch Band


artbysunfire

Hugs Note Card Set red and green Plaid by ArtBySunfire 570702


ResetarGlassArt

Star Christmas Ornament, Handmade Fused Glass, Red and White, 3 Inch


evezbeadz

14mm Red Lantern Jade Gemstone 17" Necklace


ninascorner

Handmade Crochet Multi-colored Owl Keychain Made To Order


gemstonebeadsncraft

AAA Red Quartz Faceted Fancy Carved Briolettes Size 20-23mm Approx-3 Piece Set (Carving Beads)


Creationsbyfrannie

Heart Awareness Ribbon Pin or Magnet

ShadowDogDesigns

Santa Christmas Earrings Swarovski Crystal Sterling Handmade Siam Red


Umeboshi

Gold Leaf Cherry Blossoms, Red Fused Glass Cabochon, Handmade Earrings


DesertCreations

Red Dyed Bamboo Coral Chips Tree of Life Necklace World Tree


RSSDesignsInFiber

Holly Berries and Leaves Holiday Doily - Round Placemat - Centerpiece


Covergirlbeads

Lampwork Bead Etched Light Red Orange Handmade Glass Matte Opaque 428E


specialtivity

Red, Clear Silver and Bronze Swarovski Crystal Stack of Gifts Earrings


PolkaDot Orchid

Snowflake Lace Ornaments


hollyknittercreations

Hand Knit Dancing Candy Cane Christmas Picture Dishcloth or Washcloth


http://www.abolijewelry.com/
Treble Clef Earrings.Silver Beaded Wire wrapped Earrings.Music Note

PutmanLakeDesigns

Quilted White Snowflakes Wall Hanging on Various Red Backgrounds


bluemorningexpressions

Red Hat Mrs Claus Christmas Pin Handcrafted Polymer Clay


postcardsintheattic

Antique Postcard Roses "Your Birthday..." Early 1900s Gibson - Beautiful


ThaddeusRose

Earrings, Dangle, Crystal, Garnet, Copper, Dark Red, Ear Wires


ChristieCottage

Placemats, Unfinshed, Red, Royal Family, Court, Set of 5


KatsAllThat

Red 3-Strand Memory Wire Cuff Bracelet with Dangles


craftsofthepast

Old Red Rose Mediterranean Coral Beads Three Strands


cardsbylibe

Red Mug Of Season's Greetings On This Handcrafted Holiday Card Red


Thecrochetcubby

One Dish Towel, Two Dishcloths, and a Hot Pad Perfect for any Kitchen


TheBeadyLittleEye

Deco Dragonfly, unique hand made necklace in Art Deco style with dragonfly


Thesingingbeader

Stretch bracelet bright dark cherry opaque red Czech small 6 wrist


jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Candy cane hand crocheted rope bracelet baby pink cranberry Swarovski


ElunaJewelry

Red Crystal Earrings. Sterling Silver Teardrop Earrings. Red Briolette Dangle Earrings.


dianesdangles

Red Crystal and White Snowball Holiday Earrings



Quick, everyone back in the sleigh.
We have a lot more stops to make on our journey around the world for Christmas, and I would not want you to miss the trip.
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu

30 comments:

  1. I loved hearing about the Christmas traditions of Argentina. I look forward to hearing about other parts of the world as well.

    Also, thank you for highlighting my lace snowflake ornaments. I never realized that it was traditional to decorate the trees with lace in Argentina.

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  2. What a gorgeous collection, love the colors. Thank you for including my candy cane bracelet. Off to share!

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  3. I really enjoyed learning about Christmas in Argentina. When I taught we would make something from different countries around the world, but Argentina wasn't one of them. I wonder where we'll go next! Thank you for including my snowflakes on various reds in your post. Off to share.

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  4. Very beautiful collection! Honored to be included! Thank you for featuring my treble clef earrings!

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  5. Great story and was surprised when scrolling down through the items and saw the placemats.. I thought "Hey I have some of those!" LOL In my shop..

    Thank you for your time creating this blog post.

    Much appreciated

    <><

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  6. Interesting reading about Christmas in Argentina. Thanks for sharing Julie and for showing a wonderful selection of gifts. - The Singing Beader -

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  7. I love the combo of cultural education and crafts!

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  8. It feels just like Christmas! So pretty! Thx for including my necklace Julie!

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  9. Love reading about how Argentinians celebrate Christmas - fascinating since they are south of the equator. And you found some great gift ideas to put in those shoes. Thank you for adding my Santa earrings to the list. Sharing now.

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  10. WOW - those are some luscious reds featured. Loved the info about an Argentinian Christmas. Thanks for all the hard work and effort Julie.
    Lisa :)

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  11. I just loved reading about this Christmas celebration in Argentina. I can just picture those "globos" flying through the night sky. Thank you for a wonderful article...and for putting together this great collection of gift ideas.

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  12. Posted the blog to Facebook....tweeted, saved and pinned everyone here.

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  13. I can't wait to see where we go next! The Argentine experience was great! Very educational!

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  14. Interesting article about Argentina's Christmas traditions, great selection of Christmas gifts, thank you for including my red and white snowball earrings.

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  15. I'm strapped in tight and ready for a whirlwind tour around the world to learn about the Christmas customs of other countries. What a great idea and great finds for gift giving!

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  16. Excellent posting, Julie. I love seeing all the great items and appreciate this wonderful promotion you are hosting once more.

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  17. Tweeted the link this morning using #bmecountdown

    Thanks again

    <><

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  18. I will be following your Countdown to Christmas. I love the idea of sharing Christmas traditions from around the world and, of course, the tradition of giving quality handmade gifts.

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  19. Wonderful story about Christmas in Argentina. Great selection. Thank you for selecting my owl keychain to be in your blog.

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  20. Great story and thanks for featuring my dragonfly necklace <3

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  21. You picked a very interesting theme for this year - I'm looking forward to all the posts. Thank you for including my star ornament. Shared -

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  22. I'm going to enjoy reading about the different Christmas traditions world wide and looking at all of the beautiful selections!

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  23. Enjoyed hearing about Christmas in Argentina!

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  24. I always enjoy hearing about other cultures ... thanks for the story of traditions in Argentina ... and for including my Hollies Leaves and Berries Doily from RSS Designs In Fiber!!

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  25. Wow, that made me hungry! Love the picture of the sky lanterns. I had no idea they did those there.

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  26. WOW I am loving all the reds in this post. Amazing job and thank you so much for including my Tree of Life Necklace.

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