You likely already have some Mexican influences in your Christmas traditions. Poinsettias originally come from Mexico, yet they are a staple in the US holiday season. They are fun, festive, and readily available to infuse a little Mexican flair into your holiday cheer. There are a lot of other fun ways to bring our neighbors from the South into our holiday traditions. Whether you are Mexican or not, your family can benefit from our culture’s known strengths: family and having a good time.
Host a Posada (poh-sa-da)
Posadas are parties that usually begin around December 12th. Since Christmas Eve is reserved for religious ceremonies and immediate family, Mexicans host parties well before the Big Show to have the chance to gather with friends, extended neighbors, and work colleagues. These are similar to office holiday parties.
Imagine just hosting a few to make sure you see all the people in your life you want to wish well during the season. These aren’t formal, fancy events, so no stress is required. You can make a potluck, cater it, or order pizzas, and ask your friends or family to bring guitars if they play. Spend some time sharing a meal and being merry together. It’s a great way to show your kids that friends are family, too, and that the real meaning of this time of year is to share joy and togetherness.
Make or Serve Tamales
Who doesn’t love a conveniently packaged edible piece of heaven? Tamales are fantastic Mexican treats (without the sugar) eaten mostly around Posada and Christmas time. Mexicans LOVE tamales and there is a good reason. Making them is a fun whole-family activity where everyone gets a task in an assembly line. The family sits around, chats, drinks, and snacks while making as many tamales as possible. The ritual reinforces the meaning of the season tangibly.
Tamales are corn dough filled with vegetarian or meat fillings. Think cheese and roasted green peppers, chicken tinga, beef and potatoes, you name it. If it’s good on a nacho, it’s good in a tamale. You can buy them already made at your Mexican grocery stores or in freezer sections at Trader Joe’s. They make a great breakfast on Christmas Day.
Have a Mexican Christmas!
Stretch the holiday and gift-giving to two or even three distinct days. While it may sound like a lot, this will allow you more room to celebrate with extended family. I also like how it spreads the gift opening over time and allows kids to enjoy one thing before moving on to the next.
Mexicans open their gifts on the 24th after a late dinner with immediate family. They open gifts under the tree, typically from relatives and each other. Then, the next day, when they awake, they receive one or two more things from Santa or Papa Noel. On the THIRD day of gift receiving, they open gifts on January 6th, the day of the Three Kings (Dia de los Reyes). As you may know, in the biblical story of Jesus’ birth, three kings travel to deliver gifts to the newborn. Mexicans have only begun to receive gifts from Santa on the 25th as traditions become more global.
Before then, and even in many households today, kids received their gifts on January 6th from three kings. Spreading the gift opening over several points allows kids to appreciate and enjoy the process of receiving and have space to truly enjoy each item before moving on to the next.
