December
holds
a
special
place
in
Nicaraguan
hearts,
it’s
a
month
of
traditions,
joy,
and,
above
all,
celebrating…
December
holds
a
special
place
in
Nicaraguan
hearts,
it’s
a
month
of
traditions,
joy,
and,
above
all,
celebrating
with
the
community.
Parties
and
celebrations
are
commonly
held
during
this
month,
with
festivities
kicking
off
as
early
as
the
first
week
of
December
to
celebrate
La
Purísima
or
Gritería.
Nicaraguan Holiday traditions
With
such
a
vast
property
and
so
many
ventures,
we
consider
the
life
cycle
of
everything
we
use;
promoting
recyclable
and
biodegradable
materials
in
our
restaurants
and
kitchens,
composting
organic
waste
and
using
it
as
fertilizer
for
our
farm
and
garden,
and
going
so
far
as
to
grow
our
own
feed
for
our
farm
animals.
As
we
look
to
the
future,
we
are
excited
to
develop
even
more
creative
solutions
that
will
honor
this
community
and
our
natural
environment
and
continue
to
make
a
positive
impact
on
this
earth.
La Gritería
La
Purísima
or
Gritería
is
a
traditional
festivity
of
the
immaculate
conception
celebrated
by
Nicaraguan
Catholics.
Over
time,
this
tradition
has
become
very
common
and
is
celebrated
widely
across
the
Pacific/Western
Nicaragua.
La
Purísima
captures
the
essence
of
Nicaraguan
culture
and
spirituality,
blending
religious
fervor
with
communal
joy.
The
core
of
the
tradition
lies
in
honoring
the
Virgin
Mary
as
the
Immaculate
Conception,
a
significant
figure
in
Catholicism.
Devotees
adorn
altars
with
intricate,
colorful
decorations,
each
symbolizing
aspects
of
Mary’s
purity
and
grace.
One
of
the
most
enchanting
aspects
of
La
Purísima
is
the
«Gritería,»
which
translates
to
«shouting»
or
«screaming.»
On
the
evening
of
December
7th,
communities
come
alive
with
exuberant
processions
and
joyful
gatherings.
People
carry
candles,
banners,
and
effigies
of
the
Virgin
Mary
through
the
streets,
creating
a
lively
and
spirited
atmosphere.
The
highlight
of
the
Gritería
is
when
participants,
known
as
«griteros,»
go
from
house
to
house,
singing
praises
to
the
Virgin
Mary
and
shouting,
«¿Quién
causa
tanta
alegría?»
(Who
causes
so
much
joy?).
In
response,
homeowners
open
their
doors
and
offer
small
gifts,
sweets,
and
treats
to
the
griteros,
symbolizing
the
generosity
and
unity
of
the
community.
This
tradition
is
not
limited
to
churchgoers;
it
welcomes
all,
fostering
a
sense
of
togetherness
and
inclusivity.
It
is
a
testament
to
the
rich
cultural
tapestry
of
Nicaragua,
where
faith,
folklore,
and
community
intertwine
seamlessly.
Over
time,
La
Purísima
has
become
a
remarkable
fusion
of
religious
devotion
and
cultural
celebration.
It
serves
as
a
testament
to
the
enduring
spirit
of
the
Nicaraguan
people
and
their
ability
to
find
joy
and
unity
in
their
shared
traditions.
Whether
you
are
a
devout
Catholic
or
simply
seeking
a
taste
of
Nicaraguan
culture,
participating
in
La
Purísima
is
an
experience
that
promises
both
spiritual
enlightenment
and
a
deep
sense
of
connection
with
the
local
community.
A Nicaraguan Thanksgiving to Remember
With
temperatures
set
to
drop
in
various
regions
worldwide,
The
Ranch
offers
the
perfect
retreat
for
you
and
your
family.
We
have
a
range
of
Thanksgiving-themed
activities,
including
our
Gratitude
Reset
Medication
,
our
annual
Thanksgiving
Turkey
Trot
,
and
a
delightful
Family-style
Thanksgiving
Dinner
,
ensuring
enjoyment
for
everyone
in
your
family.
Winter Solstice at Rancho Santana
Winter
Solstice
is
not
only
the
official
commencement
of
winter
but
also
symbolizes
the
gradual
return
of
daylight
as
the
days
begin
to
lengthen,
offering
a
glimmer
of
hope
for
the
impending
arrival
of
spring.
In
the
realm
of
astrology,
the
winter
solstice
denotes
the
moment
when
the
Sun
transitions
from
the
zodiac
sign
Sagittarius
to
Capricorn.
The
Winter
Solstice
at
Rancho
Santana
serves
as
an
opportune
occasion
for
deep
reflection,
celebration,
and
a
recalibration
of
one’s
focus
for
the
approaching
season
with
slow-flow
yoga
and
a
sound
bath.
Slow-flow
yoga
is
a
style
of
yoga
that
emphasizes
a
slower
and
more
deliberate
pace
compared
to
more
dynamic
and
fast-paced
styles
like
Vinyasa
or
Power
Yoga.
In
slow-flow
yoga,
the
focus
is
on
mindful
movement
and
deepening
your
awareness
of
your
body,
breath,
and
the
present
moment.
The
goal
of
a
sound
bath
is
to
promote
relaxation,
reduce
stress,
and
induce
a
state
of
deep
meditation
or
mindfulness.
The
vibrations
and
harmonious
tones
produced
by
the
instruments
are
believed
to
have
a
calming
and
healing
effect
on
the
body
and
mind.
Some
people
also
use
sound
baths
as
a
way
to
enhance
their
spiritual
or
energy-healing
practices.
Learn
More
About
Rancho’s
Winter
Solstice
Yoga
and
Sound
Bath.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
The
Feast
of
the
Seven
Fishes
is
a
cherished
Roman
Catholic
tradition
observed
on
Christmas
Eve.
This
celebration
centers
around
a
sumptuous
meal
featuring
various
fish
and
seafood
dishes.
The
practice
of
consuming
seafood
on
Christmas
Eve
has
its
roots
in
Roman
Catholic
customs
that
dictated
refraining
from
meat
consumption
on
the
eve
of
feast
days.
On
such
occasions,
meat
and
animal
fat
were
strictly
prohibited,
leading
devout
Catholics
to
turn
to
fish
as
a
suitable
alternative,
often
prepared
by
frying
in
oil.
The
traditional
Feast
of
the
Seven
Fishes
typically
comprises
seven
distinct
seafood
dishes.
Learn
More
About
Rancho’s
Feast
of
the
Seven
Fishes
.
Nicaraguan Christmas
Starting
in
late
November,
Christmas
symbols
begin
to
dominate
homes,
businesses,
streets,
and
various
other
locations.
Many
families
adorn
their
living
rooms
with
a
familiar
emblem:
an
artificial
pine
tree,
given
the
local
climate,
adorned
with
lights,
colorful
ornaments,
bells,
and
various
other
decorations.
A
Nicaraguan
Christmas
is
also
unique
to
those
who
are
used
to
snowy
Christmas.
Traditionally,
this
Holiday
is
celebrated
with
extended
family
on
Christmas
Eve.
Festivities
include
Nicaraguan
Christmas
foods
such
as
relleno
navideño
(Nicaraguan
stuffing),
gallina
de
patio
(garden
hen),
smoked
ham,
various
side
dishes,
desserts,
and
drinks.
Learn
More
About
Rancho’s
Family-Style
Christmas
Dinner.
In
some
households,
children
are
sent
to
bed
early,
maintaining
the
myth
of
Santa
Claus:
the
jolly,
generous
man
who
brings
gifts
to
all.
At
midnight,
children
are
awakened
so
they
can
unwrap
their
presents
and
discover
what
Santa
has
brought
them.
At
Rancho
Santana,
kids
can
open
presents
at
our
Santa’s
Presents
event
at
9:00
a.m.
on
Monday,
December
25,
2023.
New Year’s Eve in Nicaragua
Like
many
others,
our
culture
celebrates
with
a
party
into
the
early
hours
of
January
1st
and,
of
course,
lots
of
dancing
and
fireworks!
Tourists
are
always
drawn
to
one
particular
tradition:
when
driving
through
towns
in
the
days
leading
up
to
the
New
Year’s
celebrations,
you
may
notice
what
appear
to
be
men
or
women
sitting
on
sidewalks
or
next
to
front
doors.
On
closer
inspection,
you
will
realize
they
are
life-sized
dolls.
These
dolls
are
made
by
the
household
with
old
clothing,
newspapers,
and
scraps
and
decorated
to
later
be
burnt
on
the
night
of
New
Year’s
Eve.
This
doll
is
called
“el
año
viejo”
and
symbolizes
the
ending
of
the
old
year
to
bring
in
the
new
one.
Learn
More
About
New
Year’s
Eve
at
Rancho
Santana.
Many
New
Year’s
Eve
celebrations
offer
a
Prix-Frixe
dinner,
and
Rancho’s
is
the
one
you
can’t
miss.
Enjoy
stunning
views
while
dining
on
our
curated
menu
of
food
and
cocktails.
Learn
More
About
Rancho’s
New
Year’s
Eve
Prix-Fixe
Dinner.
Rancho Santana’s Nicaragua Celebrations Activities
If
the
prospect
of
a
tropical
backdrop
of
palm
trees,
sunshine,
and
warmth
is
tempting
you
to
escape
the
cold,
here
at
The
Ranch
you
will
be
greeted
with
heartfelt
hospitality,
Nicaraguan
traditions,
and
fun
experiences
for
all.
Whether
you
want
to
treat
yourself,
engage
your
family
in
fun
activities,
embark
on
adventures,
or
give
back
to
the
community,
The
Ranch
has
something
for
everyone
to
enjoy.