Christmas in Canton Pelileo, Ecuador

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Canton Pelileo

How long have you lived there?

20 years

If locals celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah where you are living now, how is it celebrated differently?

I live in a small, rural town where everybody knows each other. Some people will string a few Christmas lights. The children will receive small bags of candy and cookies. In the city of Ambato, you will find all kinds of vendors set up to sell Christmas decorations. individual families will set up manger scenes rather than christmas trees. On Christmas Eve, most churches will have a live Nativity and recreate Mary and Joseph's journey.

If locals do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah (and you do), what do you do for the holidays?

I try to decorate and when possible set up a tree.

Do you mix your own traditions with those of your expat location? If so, describe.

There is no expat population in my area.

What is your favorite thing about celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah in your overseas location?

Christmas gets back to its true meaning. The live Nativity is a thing to see. There is usually a family gathering. The traditional food is Buñelos with canelas.

Beside family and friends, what do you miss from home during the holidays?

It is just different and we have family in both Ecuador and the US so no matter where we celebrate we will miss family.

How is New Year's typically celebrated in your expat location?

New Years in Ecuador is the bigger celebration. All of the small towns and even barrios of the cities will have a community celebration which culminates in the burning of the viejo, which is a dummy representing the outgoing year. In the tight knit communities the viejo is symbolically a community member. His last will and testament is read during the last few moments of the year to a tearful widow and grieving family, who are represented comically.