With Christmas around the corner I couldn’t wait to make a charamico with my son! A charamico is a traditional Dominican Christmas tree. In essence, it’s a dry branch that you paint white, and decorate. I was inspired to make one from the book A Kid’s Guide to Latino History: More than 50 Activities (A Kid’s Guide series). They have so many activities, recipes, and crafts you can make by country.
Disclosure: This post also contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through this link I will receive a small monetary compensation. Thank you!
Making traditional charamicos is very popular in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a tropical island located in the Caribbean; hence the lack of snow, and pine trees! Therefore, the Dominican Christmas tree is in fact a dry tree branch that is painted in white, and decorated with ornaments, ribbons, balls, and lights. It is said that they are painted in white to resemble “snow” since it never does snow in the tropics. They can be seen in many homes, and often sold on the streets.
You can make your own charamico during this Christmas! Like we did! You just need the following:
- Dry tree branches
- White spray paint
- Colorful pom poms
- Hot-glue gun
The fun part was really looking for a branch that had various branches sticking out, and that wasn’t too big or too small! We collected some in the park, and I spray painted them white.
Once dry, look for a glass jar and fill with sand. Stick your dry branch in it. This will be the base of the charamico. Then put dabs of hot glue in different sections of the branch, and have your child help you by gluing the pom poms. Little one had fun picking out the colorful pompoms he wanted to use.
Once you’ve finished gluing the pom poms, hang the beautiful ornaments you make with your child and display it in your home.
¡Feliz Navidad!
Spread the love
What a great way to teach your son about the different ways Christmas is celebrated around the world! I think the white painted branch looks quite striking! I love the funky coloured pompoms stuck on it too, really eye-catching! Popping over from Counting Down to Christmas.
Thank you for stopping by! My son actually picked the pompoms himself, and he was so proud of the end result. 😉
It reminds me my first Christmas tree ever! I love Christmas in the Dominican Republic!! My son and I are going to make a charamico tree too!! I want him to know more about my roots and traditions. Thanks for sharing!