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Discover Chile's Yuletide Magic: Top 6 Fascinating and Unique Christmas Fun Facts

illustration of christmas-in-chile
Dive into the vibrant world of Chilean festivities with these jolly fun facts about Christmas in Chile, guaranteed to stuff your stocking with surprises!

1. Sculptural Chilean Trees

It's no "fir"ytale, but Chilean Christmas trees sure can "branch out" from the norms of festivity: Christmas in Chile features imaginative sculptural trees in many public places, like the enormous cone-shaped tree adorned with rag dolls in Santiago's Plaza de Armas, compensating for the absence of traditional fir trees in their summer heat.
Source => blogpatagonia.australis.com

2. Santa's Flip-Flop Fiesta

While Santa trades his fur boots for flip-flops and whistles "Feliz Navidad" down the sunny streets of Chile: Christmas Day celebrations in the country often include family picnics, outdoor hikes, or beach trips, embracing the warm summer season and cherishing quality time with loved ones.
Source => whychristmas.com

3. Rise of El Viejito Pascuero

Move over, Santa, because in Chile, there's a new, older, Christmas man in town who's stealing the holiday spotlight: Meet "El Viejito Pascuero," or "The Old Christmas Man," as he's lovingly known by Chileans, all thanks to their affectionate term for Christmas, "Pascua," and their penchant for endearing monikers honoring the silver-haired generation.
Source => howlanders.com

4. Chile's Punctual Present-Handler

Step aside, Santa Claus, and make way for Chile's holiday hero with a flair for timely gift-giving and a penchant for punctuality, Viejito Pascuero: In Chile, Christmas or Pascua is celebrated with its own version of Santa known as Viejito Pascuero, who drops off presents on Nochebuena, the 24th of December, and manages to do it all without any help from those January 6th gift-delivering Reyes Magos.
Source => whynotspanish.com

Reindeer Meet Chilean Cheer

5. Reindeer Meet Chilean Cheer

Hold on to your reindeer, it's about to get Chile in here: The South American country swaps Santa Claus for their very own El Viejito Pascuero, a gift-bearing fellow inspired by a German merchant who gained popularity for his festive generosity. In true Chilean fashion, Noche Buena feasts with family and friends are followed by eagerly awaiting the arrival of their very own gift-dispensing, beard-sporting icon.
Source => nomadicchica.com

6. Beachside Christmas Feasts

Who needs a White Christmas when you can roast your chestnuts on the beach? In Chile, they're decking the halls and the sandy shorelines: the Chilean Christmas tradition involves a hearty family dinner called "la cena de Navidad" with dishes like turkey and fruitcake, followed by a beach day on Christmas to enjoy the warm weather.
Source => fluentu.com

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