give Christmas presents. Guyana Christmas Day is a public holiday in Guyana celebrated by native and overseas Guyanese. People participate in a street parade of colourful masquerades filled with colourful outfits and performances. A popular traditional Christmas food is pepperpot, a national dish and type of meat stew eaten during breakfast. Uruguay Christmas Day, December 25, is a public holiday in Uruguay, although it is officially called "Family Day" since the separation of church and state at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the celebration is known as (Christmas), celebrated mainly in a secular manner. The Christmas and holiday season begins on December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), the day on which the Christmas tree is traditionally set up and Christmas decorations are put up in homes, shops and streets, including, in many homes, the or (nativity scene). In many cities, Christmas markets are set up where toys, clothes, decorations and food are sold. The celebrations begin at nightfall on Christmas Eve (December 24), with family gatherings where traditionally they eat asado, vitél toné, and desserts such as turrón and panetone, which were incorporated into Uruguayan culture due to European Immigration to the country. At the stroke of midnight, people flock to the streets to enjoy fireworks and light firecrackers; meanwhile, (Santa Claus) leaves, next to the Christmas trees, gifts that the children asked for in letters that they left throughout the month in shopping centers and other places where he is seen. There is also an exchange of gifts between family and friends. Because Uruguay lies in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated in summer, which is why open-air music festivals are held from noon on the 24th, and early morning until the 25th, mainly in coastal cities such as Montevideo and Punta del Este, which receives a large number of tourists from neighboring countries. On Christmas Day the whole population has the day off to be with their family and friends, so public transport, malls and offices are closed down. Venezuela In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by (Baby Jesus) instead of (Santa Claus), who still has an important role during this season. The unofficial start of the Christmas festivities is after the celebrations of Feria de la Chinita, the second half of November. The origin of this festival is the honor to Virgin Mary of