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how does a mexican christmas differ from an american christmas

by Cole Prosacco V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Mexico’s traditions focus on having a good time and good food. These are the most significant differences between Christmas in Mexico

Christmas in Mexico

Christmas in Mexico is celebrated during a season that begins near December 12 to January 6, candlemas on February 2. During this entire time, one can see nativity scenes, poinsettias and Christmas shoes. The season begins with celebrations related to the Virgin for life, the patr…

vs. the USA. Mexican people cherish their time with their loved ones and make the most out of every opportunity, for instance.

Mexico has 53 days of Christmas
That's a solid twenty-six days of Christmas. But Three Kings Day
Three Kings Day
In Italian folklore, the Befana (pronounced [beˈfaːna]) is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi Kings.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Befana
done right involves the consumption of a traditional cake called rosca de reyes, with a little plastic baby hidden in it.

Full Answer

How is Christmas celebrated in Mexico?

While both countries regard December 25th as the observed date of the event, Mexican Christians focus their celebration on the evening before, December 24th. Christmas Eve in America is still respected as a holy day, but contemporary Christians usually spend this day in preparation for the next.

What flowers are used for Christmas in Mexico?

Mexican Christmas decorations Flor de nochebuena:Perhaps the Mexican Christmas decoration which English-speakers are most familiar with, red poinsetta flowers adorn Mexican homes at Christmas time. There is a Mexican legend about how the flowers came to be associated with Christmas….

Do Mexican families get Christmas cards from the US?

Unless your Mexican family grew up in the US and has little contact with Mexican family, don’t expect to get holiday greeting cards with the whole family dressed in matching Christmas sweaters. American families: cards on cards on cards on cards.

What are typical Hispanic Christmas foods in Mexico?

The typical Hispanic Christmas foods in Mexico include red tamales, sweet tamales and pork tamales which are served throughout the Christmas holiday During the "posadas" you can find Mexican hot chocolate, a stew called "birria", and "gorditas con carne deshebrada" which are corn made pockets with shredded beef, and "atole" (corn gruel)

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How is Christmas different in Mexico?

It's a full month of celebrations, marked with family feasts and lots of piñatas. Starting on 12 December and lasting until 6 January, Christmas celebrations in Mexico have their own flair. There are candle-lit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks.

What are 5 Christmas traditions in Mexico?

Christmas Traditions In MexicoLas Posadas. The first thing you need to understand about Christmas traditions in Mexico is the tradition of posadas. ... Nativity Scenes. ... Piñatas. ... Ponche and Rompope. ... Dia de Los Reyes. ... Rosca de Reyes. ... Candlemas. ... 7 Best Places for Snorkeling in Akumal.More items...•

What is Christmas called for Mexicans?

Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas), from Mexico! Las Posadas is an important Mexican tradition during the holidays–complete with prayer, music, food, and piñatas.

Does Mexico believe in Santa Claus?

The Three Wise Men, El Niñito Dios (Baby Jesus), and Santa Clos are all believed to give children presents in Mexico. 33. If Santa Claus does come to a house in Mexico, he usually comes on the eve of December 23rd or the morning of Christmas Eve to leave presents.

What are typical Christmas decorations in Mexico?

Traditional decorations displayed on this holiday include nativity scenes, poinsettias, and Christmas trees. The season begins with celebrations related to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico, followed by traditions such as Las Posadas and Pastorelas.

What is a traditional Christmas dinner in Mexico?

Wherever you may be, roasted turkey is always the centerpiece of a typical Christmas dinner. In Mexico as well, roasted turkey is an inevitable part of the celebration. Turkey seasoned with pepper and salt is stuffed with other flavorful vegetables and rice to give a treat to your taste buds.

What are some traditional Christmas foods in Mexico?

Typical Foods Served During the Christmas Season in MexicoRussian potato salad. ... Pavo navideño. ... Ensalada de Noche Buena. ... Menudo. ... Bacalao with Romeritos is a Christmas tradition of Mexico's central region. ... Tamales sometimes will replace the bacalo or turkey.Volteado de piña. ... Ponche Navideño.

Do Mexican people celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve and Gifts Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in Mexico rather than on the 25th, when Mexican families will come together for the last 'posada', which are traditional Christmas gatherings that reenact the arrival of the pregnant virgin Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

What are the traditions in Mexico?

Día de Muertos (Day of The Dead) The Day of the Dead is a two-day celebration celebrated in Mexico. It is a party full of magic and folklore that dates back to pre-Columbian times to honor deceased family and friends.

What are some fun facts about Christmas in Mexico?

The nativity scene is the centerpiece of a Mexican Christmas, even more so than a Christmas tree. Mexicans put out their nativity scenes on December 16, the night of the first posada, but they only place baby Jesus in the manger on December 24. They do not add the three kings to the scene until January 5.

What do Mexicans do on December 24?

Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in Mexico rather than on the 25th, when Mexican families will come together for the last 'posada', which are traditional Christmas gatherings that reenact the arrival of the pregnant virgin Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

What are holiday traditions in Mexico?

Holiday parties in Mexico are called posadas, not fiestas. Traditional dishes served during Mexican holiday parties include: tamales, bunuelos, romeritos and pozole. You can often find a traditional piñata at most Mexican holiday celebrations.

Christmas: Mexican vs. American Traditions

Growing up in a Mexican home, I was surrounded by the holiday traditions that have been a part of my culture for longer than I’ve been alive, and I became so used to this that I never realized that my own customs might be different from my American friends’ that lived even in my own neighborhood.

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What is Christmas in America?

Christmas in America is centered around presents, decorations, and food.

What is the most popular Mexican Christmas decoration?

The most popular and well known Mexican Christmas decoration is probably the red poinsetta flowers that are used in everything from decorating the tree to decorating cakes and giving as gifts of good fortune

What are the most popular Christmas foods in Mexico?

The typical Hispanic Christmas foods in Mexico include red tamales, sweet tamales and pork tamales which are served throughout the Christmas holiday

What is the Mexican star?

The pinata star is another popular decoration used in the Mexican culture. Pinata's are already very popular in Mexican culture, but the pinata star is especially popular during Christmas during the festivals and parties celebrated during the Christmas season.

Why do people celebrate Las Pasadas?

People in Mexico celebrate Las Pasadas a couple weeks before Christmas, honoring Jesus' birth and the Nativity Scene.

What is the tradition of decorating the yard for Christmas?

Another popular tradition with decorating for Christmas in America, is the tradition of decorating the yard with lights and figurines. Contests are held all over the country to see who can make the best scene in their yard.

What do Mexicans eat for "nochebuena"?

For "nochebuena", Mexicans like to eat the tamales with a Mexican noodle casserold called "sopa seca". During this time drinks made of hot fruit or sparkling cider are also drank a lot.

How long is the Mexican Christmas season?

Mexican Christmas traditions are fascinating because the high involvement in the, “reason for the season.”. Their celebrations are about two months long, each marking an important milestone of the holidays.

What are the dates of Mexican Christmas?

Important dates in the Mexican Christmas Season. December 16th – posadas begin and continue each night until 24th. December 24th – Nochebuena, when most Mexicans attend midnight mass followed by a family meal. December 28th – Dia de los Santos Inocentes – marks the day when Heron killed the innocents.

What is the Mexican cake called?

On January 6th, the day marking the visit of the three kings to the baby Jesus, Mexicans celebrate by eating a cake known as rosca de reyes. The cake is baked in a circular shape. It contains dried fruit and spices and is delicious served with a steaming cup of Mexican chocolate.

What is the Mexican Christmas food?

Mexico has a wonderful tradition of food, using the rich cornocopia to create dishes which delight people around the world – dishes such as guacamole, burritos, pico de gallo (hot salsa) and quesadillas.

What did the poor girl do on Christmas Eve?

One Christmas eve (nochebuena) a poor girl picked a few weeds to bring to church for the baby Jesus, for she could not afford anything else. The other people in her neighborhood looked down on her, but she believed that Jesus would appreciate any gift given in love.

Where did Christmas originate?

When most English-speakers think of Christmas, they think of the customs and traditions which originated in Northern Europe; Christmas trees, evergreen wreaths, Santa Claus, mistletoe and more…. However, Mexican Christmas traditions are very different to the holiday celebrations in the USA, for example. Christmas in Mexico is influenced by Spanish ...

Is Santa coming to Mexico?

Gifts are not usually given at this time, but this is changing with increasing cultural influence from the USA. Santa has started coming to Mexico! The singing of carols, known as villancicos is also a common custom. There are many Christmas songs in Spanish language which are traditionally sung in Mexico.

What is the meaning of Christmas?

It taught me at a young age that the true meaning of Christmas wasn't about presents or Santa. It was about gathering with loved ones to celebrate what we believed - that it's about the joyous day when Jesus was born. For me, that continues to be the true meaning of my Mexican-American Christmas.

What is the Mexican version of hot chocolate?

There would always be plenty of food, including traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, pozole, menudo and buñuelos. To keep us warm, we’d drink champurrado, which is the Mexican version of hot chocolate, or ponche, which is a fruit punch that’s packed with oranges, apples, pears, pineapples, guavas and sugar cane.

1. Posadas

A gathering between friends and family that only happens between the 16th and 24th of December. This event commemorates the arrival of the future Virgin Mary with her husband Joseph to Bethlehem in search of a place to give birth to Jesus. Shepherds, animals, and the three wise men surround baby Jesus in a manger.

2. Pastorelas

Pastorelas are plays that adults or kids can make. It is common to watch the kids act at their school’s Pastorela. Consequently, this takes place in December, right before the end of classes.

3. Nativity of Jesus

The “Nativity” is a scale representation of the birth of Christ in the manger and is one of the most beloved Mexican Christmas traditions. You will find one in every Mexican home, office, or school. From simple re-enactments to vast and elaborate Christmas settings, including mountains, lakes, animals, wells, houses, and even small towns.

4. Christmas carols

There are Mexican Christmas carols such as “Silent Night” that were translated versions of English Christmas carols . However, some unique Christmas carols were inherited from Spain during the years of conquest and colonization of Mexico. These Christmas carols sing mainly about the birth of baby Jesus.

5. Christmas Mexican food

Food is an important aspect. A lot of time is spent cooking for family and friends. Classic Mexican Christmas food traditions you’ll find in every home and most restaurants:

6. Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon

Do you remember we said Mexico likes partying? Well, this is the perfect example. This period begins from December 12th (the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) to January 6th (Epiphany Day or Three Kings Day). Posadas are held on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year, and the traditional Rosca de Reyes for almost a month.

7. Night of Radishes

This is a weird Mexican Christmas tradition in Oaxaca. The Night of Radishes is the longest tradition in the region. It takes place on December 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve, and consists of creating and exhibiting unique designs made from radish and other plants.

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