Latinos tend to celebrate the holiday's a bit different than most Americans. Our colorful rich cultures full of music and dancing along with traditional Spanish dishes make our holidays very special. Here are some of things you might find from a culture coming from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, the holiday season is a big party right from November until after January 6th, as we keep alive the celebration of "Three Kings Day" or "Los Tres Reyes Magos". Puerto Rico enjoys a Caribbean sunny weather all year around; therefore most celebrations take place on "marquesinas" or front outside porches. The lit up and decorated homes are a huge part of the holidays in Puerto Rico. Driving through the islands streets you will start to hear traditional Puerto Rican Christmas carols like "Dame la Mano Paloma" and "Burrito Sabanero". All of this and it isn't even Christmas yet!

For Thanksgiving, the family gathers at "abuela and "abuelo's" house. If they aren't around, a relative usually holds holiday dinners at their home year after year. My family in particular has a tradition of putting out our Christmas decorations and Christmas tree the morning of Thanksgiving. One of the very best parts of Thanksgiving is the food! Puerto Rico, a culture rich in it's delicious savory foods, can season a turkey like no other country. Thanksgiving dinner usually consists of a Turkey, Pasteles, stuffing, ham and pineapple, arroz con gandules, tostones, baked sweet potatoes and chocolate pies. Folks, this is just at my house, Puerto Ricans, like families in general, all have their own traditional dishes, and this is just generally speaking. Usually the "coquito" waits for Christmas so my family accompanies dinner with maybe some wine or a simple pairing of beers (for the grown-ups).

Puerto Ricans will find any excuse to play salsa, bomba and of course, our "old school" tunes, "la musica de nuestros abuelos". Music is a big part of the evening in my home and many Boricua households. My dad is the "DJ" in our family so he will play all of his "Jibaro" records consisting of Chuito de Bayamon, Ranito, Baltazar Carrero and Angel Luis Garcia, to name a few. I didn't understand it as a child, but growing up, you really learn to appreciate the music of your roots and the beauty of poetry made into a song. After a while, we will then play Marc Anthony and sneak in some reggaeton for the new generation (winky face). Thanksgiving is a night cherished, where you aren't worried about gifts, but instead you get to remind your family that you have been thinking about them all year long.

Feliz Dia De Accion De Gracias!

So where do you come from? What are your family traditions?