Christmas in Colombia is a season full of joy, lights, and cherished traditions. One of the most anticipated customs for both children and adults is the arrival of the gifts of the Baby Jesus. This Merry Christmas with Gifts is celebrated on December 24, bringing families together and sharing the excitement and faith of the children.
How Gifts from the Christ Child Are Celebrated at Christmas
It’s finally Christmas, but we’re outside of Colombia. However, that doesn’t dampen our desire to enjoy December and celebrate the arrival of the Baby Jesus. Because thanks to Him, we’re sure we’ll have a joyful Christmas. Let the festivities begin!
A joyful Christmas with gifts from the Baby Jesus is approaching, and honestly, we Colombians are already wondering what we will do for this happy day that everyone looks forward to: December 24.
In Spain, my husband says that December 24 is Christmas Eve and December 25 is Christmas Day. But for us Colombians, December 24 is already Christmas. In Colombia, on the 24th, amid whistles, horns, tambourines, Christmas carols, sparklers, fireworks, and of course hugs with our family, friends, and neighbors, we wish each other a Merry Christmas.
How the Gifts of the Baby Jesus Arrive on December 24 in Colombia
As every year, children are the ones who are most excited about the long-awaited December 24th and about unwrapping the gifts from the Baby Jesus. They hold nothing back in their letters — they ask for everything, which isn’t possible — but something will come their way so that the excitement never fades.
As a fun fact, as the long-awaited day approaches, children are asked: “What did you ask Baby Jesus for?” And on December 25: “What did Baby Jesus bring you?” If you’re curious about the origin of this beautiful tradition, check out this article from Infobae explaining why the Baby Jesus brings gifts in Colombia.
A joyful Christmas filled with wonderful gifts from the Baby Jesus for Colombian children.
As parents, you can imagine the effort we make to ensure that children don’t lose their excitement about gifts from the Baby Jesus. These gifts inevitably influence whether children have a joyful Christmas.
The fact is that children, whether they get good grades or not-so-good grades, are always given something special. But they cannot be given everything — that would be a mistake. Children are taught to share and to understand that a generous heart is not only about gifts, but also about showing affection for the people around them.
At midnight on December 24 (heading into December 25), gifts are placed in the manger, on the children’s beds, or under the Christmas tree. At around 8:00 p.m., the children are put to bed, and at midnight, they are woken up to see what Baby Jesus has left them so they can unwrap their gifts. Sometimes there are sad faces and other times happy ones — because Baby Jesus does not always bring what the children asked for.
Children usually ask for roller skates, bicycles, tricycles, dolls, and all kinds of gifts they like, but they only receive one gift. As parents, we treasure their happy faces. They go to bed with their toys, and the next day they wake up to enjoy their gifts and share with their friends what Baby Jesus brought them.
Merry Christmas with Gifts: Traditions for Adults and Children
As for adults, at this time of year we should always hold on to our inner child, even though we are adults now. Remembering the good times helps us welcome the new year with joy and enthusiasm. If you’re far from Colombia and missing these traditions, we reflect on that feeling in this article about Christmas in Colombia without you.
For us adults, at midnight on the 25th, we have no choice but to give ourselves a gift from the Baby Jesus. Once the day is over, we go out for a walk to see the remaining nativity scenes and Christmas lights.
We constantly think: the end of the year is coming, and we’ll start a new cycle — January, Easter, vacations… and then another year ends. We don’t even let the year begin!
Christmas formula for a Colombian: Gifts from the Christ Child = Merry Christmas with Gifts
🎁 What did Baby Jesus bring you this year?
The magic of Christmas has no age. Let’s relive those special moments together!
Childhood memories:
What gift from Baby Jesus will you never forget? Roller skates, a bike, or that doll you wanted so badly?
Christmas away from home:
If you’re living outside Colombia, how do you keep the Baby Jesus tradition alive with the little ones?
Christmas is about sharing joy. Leave us a comment with your favorite tradition or a wish for the new year! 👇
And if this Christmas wasn’t about material gifts but rather an opportunity to learn how to care for someone and be truly present, I invite you to read how we turned an unusual Christmas in Murcia into a lesson about love and resilience.