Argentina

Image source: Flags of the world. CIA: The World FactBook. Retrieved October 21, 2010 from [].

= __ARGENTINA __ =

//la Navidad //
Christmas, or la Navidad, in Argentina is a mixture of European, American and Hispanic traditions. As in America children write letters to Santa, and houses are decorated with wreaths, trees and nativity scenes, with cotton used to simulate snow. The Christmas tree in Argentina does not have to be an evergreen tree, but rather can be any that the family wants to use and decorate.

 Christmas Eve is a time for families, with the entire extended family gathering together to celebrate. Some will attend midnight Mass before gathering for a meal and, at midnight, to open presents and watch fireworks. Some families still honor the tradition of releasing //quemando globos//, paper lanterns that have a light inside and are released into the night sky.

More information can be found on Christmas traditions in Argentina by visiting the Christmas in Argentina section of Hispanic Culture Online, the Christmas Traditions in Argentina section of All Things Christmas or Argentina Traditions on The Allure of Argentina.

Image source: Christmas in Buenos Aires – Argentina. Retrieved October 24, 2010 from  [].

//Food //
Because Argentina is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas is in the middle of the summer, making for warm days and nights around the holiday. This results in Christmas dinner often being a barbecue. The main course can be steak, turkey or pork, with lots of cold side salads. Each member of the family is expected to bring something to the large family gathering. One special dessert seen this time of year is Pan Dulce, a type of sweet bread.

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Video source: Conchas with Married to a Mexican. Retrieved October 24, 2010 from  []. References Hede, Marcela. Christmas in Argentina. Retrieved October 20, 2010 from []. <span style="color: #00aeff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">All Things Christmas. Christmas Traditions of Argentina. Retrieved October 20, 2010 from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[]. <span style="color: #00aeff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">The Allure of Argentina: Argentina Traditions: The Festivals, Observances and Celebrations Surrounding National Holidays. December 25th. Retrieved October 20, 2010 from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[].

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