By Jon Gambrell
Enquirer contributor

Gathering to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve at the ministry are (clockwise from left) Eliezer Garcia, Rosa Lopez, Ruben Lopez, Capt. Miguel Robinson and Capt. Francisca Robinson, Victor Ramirez, Yamileth Alfaro, Darlen del Carmen and Ricardo del Carmen. (Salvation Army photo)

HAMILTON - In the typically cold Midwest Christmas, local Hispanic families bring the warmth of their cultures into the mix of traditions while holding onto their own identities.

In her native Costa Rica, Yamileth Alfaro said families prepare food such as roasted pig, homemade breads, tamales and the "never-forgotten" tortillas. Exchanging food with neighbors, families typically spend the night before Christmas together and give gifts from "Santi Claus" to children on the 25th.

"During this time, families also go to local festivities, like bull fights," Alfaro said in Spanish. "We also have carnivals and horse shows. There are a lot of different ways families celebrate."

Ricardo del Carmen's home, the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic, celebrates Christmas in much the same way. Families make sweet empanadas (jelly wrapped in dough) and pan telera (wide French bread) and celebrate on Christmas Eve late until the morning.

"They have musicians that come to your home and play Christmas songs and sing through the early morning of Christmas," del Carmen said.

Capt. Miguel Robinson of the Salvation Army in Hamilton, a fellow Dominican, said families would enter the streets right after midnight.

"In the capital, they close an entire grand avenue; they have bands there playing from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m.," he said, then laughed. "The people don't sleep, they are all out in the streets."

However, Dominican children don't wait for Santa Claus to bring their gifts. They have a long two weeks before Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, when children get presents celebrating the arrival of the three wise men at Christ's birthplace.

Most Latin countries follow the same pattern for New Year's Eve. Spending time indoors with their close families, everyone comes out onto the street at midnight to wish their neighbors well and celebrate far into the morning, said Robinson's wife, Francisca, a fellow Salvation Army captain.

Far from many in their immediate families, Tristate Hispanics have adapted by coming together across differences in nationality.

"Here, all Hispanics are much more close to each other," said Francisca Robinson.

E-mail jgambrell@fuse.net