Snow doesn't fall in the Dominican Republic, so stories are shared about snow and chilly frightful weather, and about smoke stacks rising from chimneys before jolly old Saint Nick climbs into them during his miraculous worldwide journey to visit every child's home. These stories are told by elders to young ones, and young children exchange the holiday tales like coins. Musicians called Pericos Pipiaos sing and play Merengue; and carolers travel in fleets from home-to-home in what is called Aquinaldos, during which the carolers are expected to be invited in and treated to an informal party.

Dominican Republic's Christmas season lasts for several months, beginning at the tail-end of October and reaching the birth of the New Year. The lengthy Navidad celebration, which honors the Three Kings, is busy with festive parties, high spirits, harmonized carolers, draping lights, stunning fuegos artificiales/fireworks and delectable traditional foods.

Rum drinks are met with ginger, and the branches of Christmas trees are painted white and decorated, called charamico -- decorated to imitate snow. And at the base Christmas trees lives nativity scenes. Dominicans also exchange small gifts (angelitos) weeks prior to Christmas. The Dominican holiday/wedding season acts as a time for renewal: families often clean their homes, throw out old things, and apply fresh coats of paint to the house.

The Dominican festivities have a number of unique, creative and interesting traditions. Cima Sabor Navideno is a radio program in the Dominican Republic that plays endless classic Christmas merengue songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's. There are a number of annual Christmas parades on the streets of La Romama. Many employees receive Double Sueldo, which is a Christmas bonus that is usually a month's pay. La Misa del Gall is the Midnight Mass that occurs on Christmas Eve. And Christmas Eve dinner includes a full Dominican menu, which includes empandas, pasteles enhoja, Russian salad, La Telera, roasted pork, and fruits.