Aguinaldos

Aguinaldos is a term used in Spanish-speaking contexts with two principal senses. In economics, aguinaldos are year-end bonuses paid to employees, a customary extra payment around Christmas and the New Year. The practice is often mandated by law, regulation, or collective agreements in various countries; the specific amount and timing vary by jurisdiction. Typically, aguinaldos are disbursed in December or early January and may equal one month’s salary, a fixed sum, or a proportional share of earnings.

In Puerto Rico and parts of the Caribbean and the Andean region, aguinaldos also refers to a traditional form of Christmas music. Puerto Rican aguinaldos are a genre of folk songs performed during the Christmas season, often in groups called parrandas. The music commonly features instruments such as the cuatro, guitar, bongos, and güiro, and the lyrics celebrate faith, family, and communal celebration.

The term derives from the Spanish aguinaldo, which originally referred to a Christmas gift or bonus. Today, its meaning varies by context, covering both a financial practice at year-end and a folk-music tradition associated with Christmas celebrations.