Handmade Hammocks from Villa de Leyva, Colombia
Photo by Sophie Echeverry

Today we are delighted to feature Sophie Echeverry, a guest blogger studying and living in Geneva, Switzerland. Sophie was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia.

  1. “Day of the Little Candles”: Translated to el dia de las velitas and celebrated on December 7, this day brings the formal start of Christmas for us. It’s the day we start decorating our homes with the holiday spirit and light the streets with candles. Neighborhoods, towns, cities and regions compete annually for the best lighting decor. El starts the many light festivals countrywide, and we take it very seriously. According to National Geographic, in 2017 Medellín was one of the Top 5 places to enjoy the best Christmas lights.
  2. Building El Pesebre: Also known as the Nativity Scene, this is an art representation of the day of Jesus birth reflected through small sculptures of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the three wise men, shepherds, and barn animals. It will certainly be found in the living room of most of our Colombian homes. It is well represented in large sizes in malls and parks.
  3. The Start of the Novenas: On December 16, Colombian families gather for 9 consecutive days to pray and celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. These reunions remind us to be grateful and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Family and friends sing Christmas carols, read Bible verses and enjoy traditional food. My favorites include buñuelos, a deep-fried cheese dough, and natilla, a custard-like caramel dessert.
  4. Christmas Eve: On December 24, the last day of the novenas, families gather together to pray and share a special dinner, usually at midnight. In Bogotá, the capital, it is common to enjoy turkey or lechona which is pork filled with rice and vegetables. Our traditional foods also include ajiaco, bandeja paisa and tamal with hot chocolate. At some point in the night, families exchange gifts, celebrate and some attend Christmas Mass.
  5. Christmas Day: After staying up all night, Christmas day is usually a day to relax. We nibble and nosh on our Christmas eve food.
  6. Feast of the Holy Innocents: Finally, on December 28, we celebrate el día de los inocentes, which was inspired by the story in the Bible of King Herodes. Scared of the power of the newborn Messiah, the King ordered all newborns to be taken away from their families and executed. The Virgin Mary found out and escaped to Egypt. This day honors all the innocent newborns. Nowadays, it’s a day to play pranks and joke with family and friends, like the Colombian version of April Fool’s Day. Many TV stations show bloopers and funny mistakes actors and presenters have made in the past year.

As a Colombian, I along with many other Colombians, think of the Christmas season as the best time to celebrate with family and friends. It is the perfect way to indulge for a whole month before starting fresh on January 1st.

Monserrate – Bogotá, Colombia
By Sophie Echeverry

Colombian traditional Christmas Breakfast
By Sophie Echeverry

Sophie Echeverry is our guest blogger and currently studying for her MBA in International Business at the EU Business School in Geneva, Switzerland. Previously, Sophie was the Corporate Marketing Manager and Event Coordinator at Access to Culture. Born and raised in Colombia, she’s a 2018 graduate with a B.B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Hult International Business School in San Francisco, CA. Sophie has co-written more than 30 blogs since graduation. She’s a passionate foodie, and an avid e-scooter rider. Follow her foodie Instagram account or Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sharon Schweitzer, Access to Asia, Access to Culture, Cross-Cultural Trainer, Intercultural Communication, International Communication, International protocol expert, Texas Etiquette Expert, Austin Expert, Austin Etiquette Expert, Austin Etiquette Expert, Etiquette Expert, Etiquette, Expert, Coach, Trainer, Cross Culture, Intercultural, Global, International, National, Nationality, Traveler, Attorney, Culture, Customs, Protocol, Training, Trainings, Texas, Dining Etiquette, Austin, Protocolww, Protocol Expert, Global Customs, International Customs, International Customs Expert, International Customs Coach, Cultural Trainer, Culture Trainer, Culture Coach, Cultural Coach, Cultural Expert, Culture Expert, Cultural Etiquette, Culture Etiquette, Ethnic Etiquette, National Trainer, National Expert, Global Trainer, International Trainer, Global Etiquette, World Etiquette, World Coach, World Etiquette Coach, Global Coach, Global Etiquette Coach, Etiquette Coach, Etiquette, International Coach, Intercultural Coach, International Etiquette, Global Expert, Intercultural Expert, International Expert, Austin Trainings, US Trainings, Austin Training, Texas Training, Texas Trainings, Etiquette Trainings, Etiquette Training in Austin, Etiquette Training, Etiquette Trainings in Austin, Trainings in Texas, Texas Classes, Texas Dining Class, Texas Etiquette, Texas Etiquette Classes, Texas Business Etiquette, Etiquette Class, Etiquette Classes,  Sophie Echeverry, Tradition, Global Traditions, International Traditions, National days, National month days, National days in December, December Celebrations, December Holidays, Global December Holidays, Global Holidays, Global Celebrations, Global Traditions, International Traditions, US Celebrations, Colombia, Colombia Customs, Colombia Christmas, Colombia Christmas Traditions, Colombia Christmas Customs, Christmas Customs, Colombia Celebrations, Colombia Religion, Colombia Religious Holidays, Colombia Holiday, Colombia Traditions, Home Country, Motherland, Day of the Little Candles, el dia de las velitas, Light Festivals, Christmas Lights, Medellín, El Pesebre, the Nativity Scene, Colombian homes, Day of Birth, Jesus Birthday, Christmas, Christmas Holiday, Novenas, Colombian Food, Colombian Foods, Traditional Colombian Food, Traditional Colombian Foods, buñuelos, 9 days of prayer, Nine Days of Prayer, Nine days to Pray, 9 Day to Pray, Pray Nine Days, Pray 9 Days, Fried Cheese, Deep-Fried Cheese, Deep Fried Cheese, Natilla, Colombian Dessert, Colombian Desserts, custard-like caramel dessert, Caramel Dessert, Colombian Caramel Dessert, Colombian Caramel Desserts, Colombian Custard Dessert, Colombian Custard Desserts, Christmas Eve, The Last Day of the Novenas, Last Day of the Novenas, Last Day of Novenas, The Last Day of Novenas, Novenas Last Day, Bogotá, lechona, Traditional Food, Traditional Foods, Traditional Food in Colombia, Traditional Foods in Colombia, Ajiaco, Bandeja Paisa, Tamal, Ajiacos, Bandeja Paisas, Tamals, Christmas Mass, Colombian Christmas Mass, Christmas Day, Colombian Christmas Day, Christmas Season, Feast of the Holy Innocents, The Holy Innocents, el día de los inocentes, día de los inocentes, Bible of King Herodes, King Herodes, Colombian Christmas Customs, Colombian Millennial

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