Charamicos, the traditional Dominican Christmas decorations, are appearing on the streets of Santo Domingo as the holiday season begins. Vendors have set up stalls along major avenues, including Winston Churchill Avenue, selling a range of handmade items such as trees, baskets, “viñetas” (small figurines), burritos (small wooden figures) and other ornaments. The stalls are part of a broader effort to bring a festive atmosphere to the capital. In addition to the programming of the television show “Cima Sabor Navideño,” the city’s main arteries are being decorated with these handcrafted pieces. The vendors say that the sale of charamicos provides an important source of income during the busiest time of the year, especially for older artisans who may find it difficult to secure other employment. Candido Santos, a vendor who began selling charamicos in Balaguer, explained that the materials and techniques have evolved over time. “I started selling charamicos from Balaguer when the base was made from oil cans. Now we are making more fiber baskets, similar to those sold in La Romana, using compressed fiber,” he said. Santos noted that sales have been limited this week, partly due to recent rainfall, but he expects the market to pick up as December approaches. Reynaldo de Jesus, who operates a stall on Winston Churchill Avenue, highlighted the price range of the items. “This year’s prices are lower than last year. We have burritos from RD $2,000 to RD $3,000, and small trees up to RD $1,500. Natural burritos that are unpainted can be as low as RD $1,000,” he said. The charamicos are a staple of Dominican holiday décor, and their sale supports dozens of local merchants. While the weather has slowed traffic and sales in recent days, the vendors remain hopeful that demand will increase as the holiday season progresses. The presence of charamicos on the streets of Santo Domingo signals the arrival of Christmas and continues a tradition that blends cultural heritage with local economic activity.
Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto