In many ways a Puerto Rican Christmas is much like its North American counterpart. Festive decorations including lights, poinsettias, Christmas trees and scenes of the Nativity, (El Nacimiento) adorn many homes. The holiday serves as a time to celebrate with friends and family and to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ.
Caroling is an important part of Christmas in Puerto Rico. Carolers (parrandas) surprise friends and family members by showing up at their home and singing Aguinaldos (Christmas songs). The carolers enter the home of their audience and have a festive party. Once the party is complete, they move on to surprise another friend.
Traditional holiday foods include spit-roasted pork (lechón asao), arroz con gandules, plátanos, pasteles (mashed plantains or yucca, filled with meat and vegetables and wrapped in the leaves of the banana tree), seasoned rice with pigeon peas, fried plantains, and yams. Desserts include arroz con dulce (rice cooked with spices, sugar, milk, and coconut milk) and tembleque (custard made with cornstarch, sugar, and coconut milk). Coquito is the traditional holiday beverage and is made using coconut milk and rum.
Puerto Rican children also have January to receive special holiday gifts. On January 5th children place water and grass under their pillows for the camels of the Three Wise Men. The next morning, children awake on El Dia de Reyes to find their camel treats exchanged for gifts.
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