Perhaps one of the things that perk the curiosity of someone living in colder regions is the way Christmas is celebrated in the world's warmer regions, such as here in Panama. For sure, there won't be any talking about White Christmases, because it doesn't snow in this tropical nation.
In Panama, Christmas is more about the family and religion, and less about prominent Christmas figures and symbols like Santa Clause and the Christmas tree. The culture in Panama tend to give more importance to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In fact, neighborhood competitions on the best Nativity models are pretty common here.
The holiday season usually starts here during the 8th of December, which happens to be the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. Little girls come out in angel outfits and parade with statues of the Blessed Virgin in their hands. It is also during this day when children receive their first Communion.
On Christmas Eve, Panamanians usually devote themselves to cleaning their houses and preparing for the Christmas Eve dinner. Some traditional Panamanian Christmas food are Arroz con Pollo, turkey, and tamales. As for desserts, fruitcakes are usually the most favorite treats to serve.
On the next day, most Panamanians go to the morning Church to attend the mass and visit their relatives in far-away provinces. The more affluent citizens also usually proceed to their vacation homes beside the beach to enjoy the rest of the holidays.
Coming to Panama during such an eventful time can greatly help you expose yourself to varying cultures and practices. The differences between a Panamanian Christmas and the usual Western Christmas are so obvious that they are enough to send you to some different world. You should better treat this as a one-in-a-lifetime experience and do as much as you can to help others in the spirit of Christmas.
