Christmas in Mexico is out of this world. Life-sized nativity scenes abound, along with “papel picado” garlands strung across the streets, and large greetings beam from colonial buildings. It is one of the biggest celebration of the year – in small towns, big cities, the beach resorts, everywhere. Christmas in Mexico is celebrated in a variety of ways, but its common denominator is “Las Posadas”.
Posadas are pre-Christmas parties re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodgings. The word posada means “inn.” They are held from December 16th to December 24th. These parties are about sharing food, fun, and tradition.
One game that is often played at Posada parties is Piñata. A piñata is a decorated clay or papier-mâché jar filled with sweets and hung from the ceiling or tree branch. The classic piñata of “Navidad” is round with seven peaks or spikes, representing the seven cardinal sins. To play the game, children are blindfolded and take it in turns to hit the piñata with a stick until it splits open and the sweets pour out.
“Las Posadas” celebration culminates in the grand finale on Christmas Eve, which is a tremendous feast at the “Cena de Noche Buena”.
Christmas in Mexico is a time for the celebration of food too, from the traditional bacalao (dried fish), romeritos (baked shrimp), roast turkey to the buñuelos (fried tortilla), and topped off with the sugar and cinnamon ponche navideño, which is packed full of oranges, apples, pears, pineapples, sugar, cloves, guavas and then normally spiked with a heavy dose of brandy.
This Christmas dinner can often last well into the early hours of Christmas morning which is the reason why Christmas Day itself is usually a low-key affair in most Mexican towns. Much like New Years Eve and Independence Day, Mexicans prefer to celebrate the events on the night before the actual event.
No matter when these dishes are served, they are well worth incorporating into your own celebrations – so if you’re bored of the same old Christmas party nibbles, why not add a touch of spice by serving some tasty Mexican nibbles to your family and friends!
No party would be complete without these five recipes.
Pick one, two or more and add a tasty KANKUN® Mexican touch to your holiday meals.