My favourite sign of Christmas here: the giant walls of anchetas, food baskets that folks give as gifts. The food usually isn't fancy (though some alcohol-and-dessert numbers exist, too), but it's enough to ensure someone can have a decent meal for the holidays.

My parents were of the lower-middle class set that would *rage* if someone dared to try to help them out. Who said they needed handouts? They weren't charity cases!

I love a culture that appreciates food as a gift, not an insult. :)