There are so much I can say about how I use to celebrate Christmas Eve in Haiti. However, I promise I will keep it short.

Christmas (Noel) in Haiti, wow what a wonderful season it was back then for the young, the old, the poor, rich, Christians and non Christians! On the 24. The day before the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, early in the morning people gather in their neighborhood, chanting and getting ready for the feast of the Nativity. All radio stations will be playing Christmas songs all day long.

I also remember on Christmas Eve when merchants, retailers were coming from everywhere with their merchandise such as the Christmas trees (called Sapins de Noel) releasing a fresh pine scent, hand painted figurines representing the wise men, Angels, and all kind of Christmas ornaments. They will be chanting popular creole/french Christmas songs (Noel, Petit Papa Noel, les anges dans nos campagnes….), shouting joyfully “ti cheri vin’n achte bon sapin santi bon”, meaning sweetheart come and pick the best fresh cut tree.

Christmas' Eve was widely and mostly celebrated among children who anxiously were waiting and expecting “Papa Noel” to bring them nice gifts, lovely toys if they were polite all throughout the year. Girls, for sure wanted a pretty doll, handmade with fabrics, crystal or plastic, it did not really matters. Boys on the other hand, were busy giving a last touch to their lighthouses called “fanal” which must be ready to be displayed at night. Oh, were they gorgeous! Euphoria and competition, were everyone leitmotif. Different designs were created such as a Cathedral, a ship, a fortress and so on. Made with cardboard and multicolor art paper, each one of them was worth the time and effort.

Here comes the most important time of the dayon Christmas Eve. At sunset, a transcendent feeling will keep you focus and ready for Christmas. Special meals and drinks are served on the night before Christmas(bouillon: mixed vegetables and several meats; riz et pois: rice and beans; griots: fried pork; kremas: Haitian pina coloda…).

Loud Christmas songs are played all day long. The most popular Creole or French ones remembered are still in the back of our minds: Minuit Chretien, Noel a Jerusalem, les Anges dans nos campagnes. Children and families impatiently wait for Midnight Mass for it is the Birth of Baby Jesus. 

In the church, everything seemed so grandiose that night before Christmas. You will wear your new, elegant little red dress. Catholic parents or responsible adults will make sure that the whole family attends that important mass. Some young people boyfriends/girlfriends sneak out to go to parties, have some drinks, get drunk, and exhibit silly behaviors and later on get in trouble.

Did you have any experience spending a Christmas Eve in Haiti?

Was your Christmas Eve special?

Would you care to talk about it?

Your opinion counts. Please comment.
Joyeux Noel!
Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!