The most famous food of Venezuelan Christmas is the hallaca. A hallaca is a thick cornmeal parcel wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. Inside is a stew of meat, olives, raisins, peppers and capers. Making hallacas is a family event - everyone joins in around the kitchen table, mixing, wrapping and tying. Some families wrap hundreds at a time.
On 24 December (Nochebuena), families have a long evening meal that lasts until midnight. The table includes hallacas, a salad of chicken, potato and apples called 'ensalada de gallina', a ham bread called 'pan de jam贸n', and a sweet drink made with eggs and milk. At midnight, fireworks burst across the sky.
On Christmas morning, children open small presents. They are usually given by a friendly figure called 'El Ni帽o Jes煤s' (the baby Jesus) - in some other Spanish-speaking countries, presents come from Santa or the Three Kings instead. Each country has its own version.
Throughout December, music plays in every shop and home. Gaita Christmas songs from Maracaibo, plus international classics, fill the air. Some neighbourhoods set up bright street lights and decorations together. Because it is the dry season, the days are warm and clear and perfect for being outside.