El Año Viejo 2011

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Tonight, for our family night, we are going to make our Año Viejo. But, what exactly is an Año Viejo. The Año Viejo is a life size doll made out of old clothes and stuffed with straw and newspaper (and illegal fireworks in Colombia -- we skip this part). This doll hangs out, usually on the front porch, for the week between Christmas and New Year's. Just before midnight on New Year's Eve, people set fire to the Año Viejo. It is burning the old and bad of the past year in preparation for the new.

In our family, we write down something we want to burn away along with the doll and stuff it in side. When we used to live in the city, it was not possible to burn our doll. Now, out here, surrounded by water, we burn the darn thing!!! So, therapeutic. I will include pictures after we make it.

Comments

Lance said…
We are planning on making a small one as well, about as big as a small stuffed animal. If we lived in the country we would probably make a full size one.

I had the opportunity to see my first one last year in Colombia and it was fun to see!

Lance and Liliana
December 27, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Colombian Mommy said…
What a super idea! Make a mini one :) I hope you all have fun with it!
December 27, 2011 at 7:08 PM
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