Christmas Around the World–Costa Rica

Today’s Christmas Around the World tour takes us to a place that is close to my heart…Costa Rica! Generally speaking, I am half English (from my dad’s side) and half Costa Rican (from my mom). This must be why I am so lovable. LOL. Anyhow, Costa Ricans really know how to fiesta, and today’s tour will show us what a Costa Rican two-week long Christmas fiesta looks like!

In Costa Rica, it seems like the whole country takes vacation from the middle of December until the start of the new year. There are weeks of festivities, including Costa Rican style bull fights. Costa Rican bull fights are unique because, instead of bull fighters (banderilleros, picadores montados, and a matador) that are all trying for the ultimate goal of killing the poor bull, the Plaza de Toros (bull fighting arena) is filled mostly with people being chased around by the bull! My abuela used to get a real kick out of watching these Costa Rican toros (bulls) on television. She was all smiles.

For the nine days before Christmas, groups, including families with children, go from house to house reenacting the scene of Joseph and Mary searching for posada (shelter) at the inn. The first few houses always turn the children away as they ask for posada, but the last house always lets them in. There is also a beautiful horse parade called “El Tope Nacional” that starts on the day after Christmas. It is the largest and most famous parade in Costa Rica. Thousands of riders come from all over the country to show off their beautiful horses and skills.

On Christmas Eve, there is a Misa del Gallo (midnight mass) and then a cena (dinner) with tamales and other traditional foods like arroz con leche (rice pudding). No Christmas fiesta would be complete without the rompope, which is basically egg nog spiked with rum. Don’t worry, virgin rompope for the kids! The Baby Jesus completes the evening by leaving gifts under the Christmas tree.

BOOK FOR COSTA RICA:
“‘Twas Nochebuena” by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

The book we are reading today is a Christmas book told in English and Spanish. Many of the traditions spoken of in the book are practiced in Costa Rica, such as the fireworks, the posada, the Misa del Gallo, and the Christmas tamales. Other traditions the book speaks of, such as the pinatas, the champurrado, the mole, and the bunuelos, are traditions practiced in other Latin American countries.

Here is a vocabulary page from the book. I would review the words with your kids before listening to the book 🙂.

Here is a link to me reading the book “‘Twas Nochebuena” aloud. Thanks to Kamryn for assisting me and to Grayson for video recording and editing.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DESSERT FOR COSTA RICA:
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

Here is a link to my Instant Pot Arroz con Leche recipe. Hope you love it as much as we do!

SONG FOR COSTA RICA:

Here is a Christmas song that is popular in Costa Rica. Here is one more, Pastores Venid, Pastores Llegad, for good measure!

I love Tish Hinojosa for her songs that she does in Spanish and English. They are great for helping kids to learn Spanish. Here is one of her Christmas songs, Arbolito, in Spanish and then in English. Barnyard Dance is another one of my favorite songs from her that my MIL, Pattee, introduced me to. It is not a Christmas song, but it is a very cute song for kids that is sung in both Spanish and English!

Finally, here is a link to a bunch of Spanish Christmas Carols.

Here are the lyrics for a few of the above songs:

Arbolito by Tish Hinojosa in English
Arbolito this year I am seven
I have freckles, I would let you have them
There comes Mamacita with ornaments
And with lights to dress you
I help her, but she won’t leave me with the icicles
From the kitchen, cooking las comadres
I smell chocolate, garlic and tamales
Where is my godmother and Santa Claus
No it’s not the presents I want, you know
Yes, it’s just the packages to guess

Arbolito I’m fifteen years old now
I can almost reach to put your star on
What I wish for Christmas this year is a secret
His name is – Ay mama mira! (Mom, look!)
My sister won’t let me have the icicles!
From the kitchen, cooking las comadres
I smell chocolate, garlic and tamales
Where is my godmother and Santa Claus
No it’s not the presents I want, you know
Yes, it’s just the packages to guess

Arbolito, now I’m thirty something
How familiar is our yearly talking
No, mijita(daughter), you put the ornaments
Does it look like Better Homes magazine?
Aw, come on now, they’re my icicles!

Pastores Venid, Pastores Llegad in Spanish
En el portal de belén
Hay estrellas, Sol y Luna
La Virgen y San José
Y el niño que está en la cuna

Pastores venid
Pastores llegad
Adorad al niño
Adorad al niño
Que ha nacido ya

Pastores venid
Pastores llegad
Adorad al niño
Adorad al niño
Que ha nacido ya

Ábreme tu pecho niño
Ábreme tu corazón
Que hace mucho frío afuera
Y allí solo hallo calor