Even though Christmas felt different, I was grateful to be spending it with my wonderful host family. I video called with my family back home on Christmas Day and watched them open gifts. It was a bittersweet moment, but overall, I felt happy and grateful to be able to see and talk with them. It was a unique Christmas that I will never forget. This year, I am excited to spend the holiday season with my family!
The community has this tradition because the vast majority of the Dominican population is Christian, with about four in five people identifying as Roman Catholic or Protestant. Religion is a large part of many Dominicans' lives, so Christmas is a very important holiday.
The weather in the DR during Christmas time is still very hot and humid, even though it is the winter months. It does cool off a bit here during the winter, but only from about 95 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day (where I live). The weather definitely affects winter tradions. Whereas many of the holiday traditions in the US are focused around cold weather and snow (for example, ice skating, sled riding, building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, sitting by the fire, etc.), those are not a part of the holiday season here in the DR. Instead, a Christmas celebration with family might take place on the beach or by a pool!
