Mexico

Due to its latitude Mexico celebrates a warm Christmas which is characterized by many vibrant festivities taking place outside and foods like salads more suited to a warmer climate. Christmas trees and decorations start going up towards the end of November and are beautifully decorated with the indigenous Poinsettia flower (Flor de Nochebuena) which is available in many colours. Some families set up large sized Nativity scenes in their gardens or homes sometimes with life-size figurines.

16 – 24th December Las Posadas 

Posada parades and parties are held every evening during this period hosted by different families. Families, neighbours or groups of children will gather to reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn. They walk in a procession from one house to another finally arriving at the destination house where splitting into two groups one goes inside the house and the other remains outside. They then sing a traditional song where Mary and Joseph and the outsiders ask for shelter, and those inside reply there is no shelter until eventually they are allowed in. Thereafter a meal is served with hot punch made from traditional fruit.

Star shaped Piñatas play a focal part in this celebration, normally with the star having 7 points representing the seven deadly sins. The Piñata is broken open with a wooden stick showering the contents of peanuts, mandarins, special fruit and Colacion (different coloured candy, some with peanuts in the the centre.)

24th Christmas Eve

In the two days leading up to Christmas a great deal of time is spent preparing food.  At around 8pm the family goes to Church for mass. The Church is decorated with flowers and fireworks are often set-off outside the Churches in small towns. The families return from Church for the start of their midnight feast. Gift exchanges are overwhelming with everyone spoiling each other. Sidra, Tequila, beer and wine flows and there is plenty of dancing. The children run around outside with over-sized sparklers. These Christmas feasts draw to a close at around 3h30.

25th and 26th

The 25th is a time to meet with friends and eat leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the 26th many families like to depart for a family holiday.

1st January

The New Year is started by throwing dust (bad energy) out of the house. There is also the tradition of taking a suitcase and walking around the house in the hope that it brings trips and holidays in the coming year. Seeds and candles are often put out to bring prosperity for the year.

For those living near the sea families like to head to the beach with a picnic, or first to a restaurant and then to the beach. 

6th January Three Kings

In the weeks leading up to the 6th the children place their gift wish lists on the branches of the Christmas tree or attach their wishes to balloons that are released and fly away. The Three Kings bring the gifts during the night and the children wake up to find them beneath the tree on the morning of the 6th.

The Rosca de Reyes dried fruit and nut cake is eaten on this day. This oval shaped cake is baked with a tiny baby Jesus figurine inside. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice will invite everyone to eat traditional Tamales at their homes on the 2nd of Feb.

Christmas trees are disposed of any time from this date up to the end of January.

2nd February Dia de la Candelaria

This day marks the end of the Festive Season. To celebrate Jesus being taken to the Temple for the first time new clothing is bought for the baby Jesus in the nativity scene. The Jesus doll is then dressed or covered in the new clothes and afterwards everyone eats Tamales (traditional corn flour cake filled with chicken or pork and Mexican chilies baked in a corn leaf for an hour.)