Christmas around the World: Mexico

The Christmas holiday celebration begins in Mexico on December 16 with nine days of “posadas,” processions that re-enact the nativity scene. These usually include “Mary” on a burro, led by “Joseph” and followed by a host of pilgrims. Afterwards, there’s a celebration, complete with food, music, and “pinatas” filled with candy and other goodies.

Decorations
Mexican holiday decorations are colorful. Like most primarily Catholic countries, the centerpiece of home decorations is a nativity scene (”el nacimiento”). In Mexico, these can range from small clay figures to life-size tableaus. The scene is completed on Christmas Eve when the Baby Jesus is added to the scene.

Flowers
Mexico is the home of the Poinsettia, called “Cuitlaxochitl” or “El Flor de Noche Buena” in Mexico. These red-hued flowers so entranced Dr. Joel Poinsett, a 19th century US diplomat in Mexico, that he brought the plant to the US and popularized it under his name.

Food
Christmas is ushered in with a late night Christmas Eve mass (”el misa de gallo” — rooster’s mass) followed by a traditional feast with such foods as tamales, churros, and “bunuelus” (sweet fritters).

For more Christmas in July posts, see:
How to Make Wine Cork Wreaths, from Peggy at “Junk Creations”

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