Regional customs and gastronomy

Other celebrations vary by region, becoming unconventional in Nordic countries.42 In Mexico and its neighboring countries Posadas are held from December 16 to 24 in Mexico and neighboring localities; series of popular celebrations, that remember the journey of San José and the Virgin Mary to arrive at Bethlehem. These celebrations take place next to the piñatas, which consist of a clay pot adorned with picks and shredded paper or cardboard figures decorated with colored paper, both filled with candy, fruit and sometimes toys and confetti, which are broken in each of the days of the Posadas. According to tradition the piñata must carry 7 peaks since each one represents the seven deadly sins.

They have also become a sample of the Christmas season, streets, avenues, squares, parks, rivers, lakes or mountains as they are transformed into beautiful settings for the enjoyment of the locals or visitors. Most of the cities of the West, and a good part of the East, place bright and colorful lighting, some of great beauty, in its streets, mainly in the busiest streets, in addition to large Christmas trees, cribs, etc. People also put Christmas lights on the balconies and windows of their homes. Especially striking are Christmas ornaments and lights from Germany, the United States and some cities in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Other countries perform fireworks. In Colombia they are made with a silk paper balloon; it is a flying artifact that in countries like Colombia is released during the celebration of Christmas; this season the media and companies launch campaigns that seek to eliminate this practice because of the risks involved in releasing an element like this with fire inside; However, it is still a deeply rooted tradition for people and it is not strange to see balloons on December 24 and 25 through the skies of some of its most important cities. Gastronomy is characteristic at Christmas. Chocolatadas are celebrations for children during the weeks leading up to December 24 in Peru. It consists of children's shows, dances, and gift giving for everyone. It is called so it is inevitable hot chocolate and panettone (sweet bread with candied fruit).