Christmas in Peru

Christmas in Peru: My first celebration without pre-Christmas stress. A completely different Christmas Eve.

Experiencing Christmas in Peru was a completely new experience for me. No endless shopping stress, no weeks of rushing around searching for gifts, no nerve-wracking late-night wrapping of presents. Instead, it was a celebration that was different, quieter, yet still full of life. Weeks before Christmas Eve, I sensed that Christmas felt different here than in Germany. And that's exactly what made it so special.

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Preparations without stress – fairy lights instead of consumerism

While in Germany December often degenerates into pure stress, in Peru A completely different atmosphere could be felt. The street where we lived was decorated with colorful fairy lights, and huge gift packages hung decoratively from lanterns and facades. No commercialism, no crowded shopping centers with annoyed customers – instead, the Christmas atmosphere here seemed almost decelerated. Almost suspiciously quiet – as if a secret Christmas mission were about to begin at any moment. The Christmas tree in my mother-in-law's living room had been up long before December 24th. Unlike in Germany, where many families don't put up the tree until shortly before Christmas Eve, the decorations here were put up early. Next to the tree was a traditional nativity scene with lovingly crafted figurines – an integral part of Peruvian Christmas traditions. I wondered if the little sheep in the nativity scene really came from the Bible or if they represented a South American drug cartel.

Christmas blessing and children’s festival – priest as

Inauguration of the street at Christmas in Piura

Another detail that caught my eye: The decorations weren't just hung up, but were ceremoniously inaugurated. A priest blessed all the street decorations before Christmas—the ceremonial starting signal for the Christmas season, so to speak. The Christmas lights only went on when the head of the House of God gave the OK. I briefly wondered if he also blessed the power grid, because a power outage here would be the true Christmas miracle. The children's festival that took place before Christmas was particularly beautiful. The focus here wasn't on presents, but on community and joy. There were games, small performances, and sweets for the little ones—all without the excessive consumerism I was used to from Germany. And best of all: no constant loop of Christmas carols from the loudspeakers that get on your last nerve! Hallelujah!

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Christmas Eve: The great countdown to midnight

December 24th began surprisingly quietly. No hustle and bustle in the streets, no last-minute shopping – instead, serenity reigned. In the early evening, my mother-in-law and I made our way to church. The priest took his time with his devotions, artfully embellishing his words and turning the mass into a long but solemn event. The clock was ticking. As I slowly dozed off in the pew, it dawned on me: everyone here is waiting for midnight. Or for the priest to finally utter an "Amen." After church, nothing happened. No celebratory dinner, no big get-together. In Germany, this would be the moment when the family comes together, presents are opened, and the children's eyes light up. In Peru But midnight is the central moment of Christmas. A moment so sacred that even Santa Claus didn't receive an invitation.

Midnight: Food, gifts and family party

Finally, the time had come: at midnight sharp, the festive meal was served. No traditional roast goose or potato salad with sausages, but a huge portion of rice with a large poultry—be it chicken, rooster, or even turkey. The animal on the plate could be anything, as long as it was big enough to feed everyone. If not, there was always plan B: more rice. After the meal, the presents were distributed—but without Santa Claus. No red coat, no reindeer, no shouts of “ho-ho-ho.” The packages simply lay under the tree, and each family member took their presents one by one. While in Germany the children are often the center of attention, in Peru Christmas is an event for all generations. Gifts for adults? Completely normal here. All that was missing was a lottery with the grand prize: another chicken. After the presents were given out, the most unexpected part came: games and dancing! Instead of contemplative hours on the couch, there was celebrating, laughing, and dancing. The family stayed up late, and the atmosphere was joyful and exuberant—a contrast to the rather quiet, family-oriented Christmas Eve in Germany. Who would have thought I'd be salsa dancing at 3 a.m. on Christmas Day? I actually thought the Christmas curse would strike at midnight at the latest and turn everyone into tired people.

Why is Christmas celebrated so much in Peru?

The way Christmas in Peru is celebrated has a lot to do with the culture and history of the country. The deep roots of the Catholic faith play a major role – Christmas here is not just a family celebration, but a strongly religious event. The midnight celebration commemorates the birth of Christ and is observed with great reverence. And once the rooster has crowed, everyone knows: time for the midnight turkey! The warm climate and social dynamics also contribute to the fact that Christmas is different here. While in Europe the cold winter months often lead to a rather quiet, contemplative celebration, in Peru Summer – a perfect time for celebrations, street parties, and nighttime gatherings. No mulled wine, but ice-cold chicha morada and temperatures that make snow seem impossible to imagine.

My realization: Christmas can also be loud!

My first Christmas in Peru It was an experience I will never forget. The lack of shopping stress, the special significance of the religious rituals, and the midnight celebration made this holiday truly special. Even though I missed Santa Claus a little, the warmth of the Peruvian family more than made up for it. in Peru is different – ​​loud, cheerful, a bit chaotic, and full of joie de vivre. And the best part: no one forces you to get up early on December 25th! However, if you find yourself on the dance floor at 6 a.m., you've either truly understood Christmas – or simply lost track of time.

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