"The amount of gifts and the quality of gifts given for Christmas here tend to make Christmas a materialistic project. We think of Christmas as a religious holiday where gifts are not important," commented Gustavo Herrero, when asked what he thought of Christmas here in the United States in comparison to the Christmases he is used to spending in Argentina.

At home children decorate a tree much the same way as in America. There is usually a very ornate star or angel at the top; and the rest of the tree is decked with tinsel, lights, and ornaments. Since it is summer in Argentina during the Christmas season, children make "snow" out of cotton and put it on and under the tree. Also beneath the tree is the nativity scene, which is the focal point of attention during the holiday season.

There are three major days of celebration ‑ Christmas, New Year's Day, and January 6. Gus admitted that a certain amount of materialism is put in the Christmas season by the children because the holidays mark the beginning of summer vacation for all students. Their summer vacation lasts through March, which is the extent of their summer weather.

Gus described the Spanish type of Christmas festivities. It is a very religious and family affair. Most Roman Catholics go to the midnight service on Christmas Eve. This is called "cock's mass" because the cock crows at midnight. When the service ends, it is Christmas Day; and the children go to bed to prepare for the festivities of the day. Children go to sleep to wait for St. Nick to come.

After the "cock's mass", the family exchanges gifts‑usually something small is sufficient, like a pair of gloves for Mother or a book for Father. All the relatives gather at someone's house for the remainder of the day. The food might include turkey and vegetables and any kind of cake.

New Year's Day is the next important holiday. On New Year's Eve the children put out their shoes to have the Christ Child fill them with presents. Again there is a family or ‑ friends gathering for the main meal, which is usually some form of pork.

January 6 is Epiphany or the coming of the Three Wise Men. On the night of January 5, the children again put out their shoes to be filled‑this time by the Kings. This is not as big a holiday, but it has great religious importance to the Spanish people of Argentina.