In Venezuela, Christmas celebrations start on December 24th. On this day, families gather for dinner and stay up until midnight on December 25th, when the baby Jesus is born. That's when the presents are given.

Since most of my family lives abroad, I spent this night with my girlfriend's family. It's a tradition in her family to make hallacas on December 24th, bringing everyone together to prepare them.

As a photographer, I brought my camera to document everything and share it with you all!

Here, everyone was busy preparing the hallacas:

Some filled the hallacas

An uncle was in charge of tying the hallacas:

My girlfriend was counting the hallacas and putting them in a pot:

I was obviously the one in charge of taking the photos hahaha, I photographed the grandfather:

Alternative/creative portrait:

I also photographed another uncle with his cat:

And while they were preparing everything, I walked around the house photographing various elements that seemed interesting to me:

Time passed and they finished assembling the hallacas, now it was time to put them on the firewood, an uncle was in charge of lighting the fire:

We put the pot on the fire and add water that need be hot:

And so we leave the hallacas on the fire, they must cook for 3 long hours!!!

Meanwhile, we all stayed talking and telling stories while drinking ponche crema, the hallacas were ready around 11 pm and I was so hungry that I forgot to take a photo of it hahaha.

It was a very nice night with the family, I hope you liked these photos as much as I did and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas!!