How is Christmas celebrated in Mexico?

Christmas in Mexico has a great variety of traditions and customs, among which family celebrations such as the Posadas stand out, where all the warmth of home is felt and the atmosphere is filled with joy and excitement of the little ones for the day when the Three Wise Men leave them a long-awaited gift.

It is also distinguished by the typical dishes and sweets, highly acclaimed at this time of year, when the streets are dressed in colors and joy with the already famous poinsettia flowers and piñatas. Don't stop reading, because in Kali Escandón we will tell you the highlights for this season.

POSADAS

In our Mexican culture we always prepare nine days before December 24, that is, we begin on December 16 with the famous Posadas, a very religious celebration where people carry out a procession, recreating the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph with a litany looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem; where the baby Jesus can be born.

The festival is celebrated in the streets, people gather to sing and dance, as well as to pray litanies and chants, surrounded by lights and flares that are distributed among those present.

When everyone arrives at the inn, the party begins. In addition, we Mexicans feel such devotion for the Christmas season that we even hold the pre-posada, which takes place before and is very similar.

NATIVE STAGES

If in other places the Christmas tree cannot be missing, in Mexico the Nativity scenes are indispensable, which are put up on December 16 and are kept until February 2 when the festivities end.

The main figures of Bethlehem are the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the baby Jesus, who is put up on December 24 at night, and the Three Wise Men, whose figures are added on January 5, as well as the animals of the manger, the shepherds and the angel.

On the night of December 24, many families attend the Midnight Mass, which is celebrated at midnight and then open their gifts, placed next to the Nativity scene. Sometimes, children open their gifts on the morning of the 25th.

FAIRS AND MARKETS

During this time there are also several craft fairs and markets, where all kinds of Christmas decorations are sold, such as fruits, Christmas balls, colorful piñatas and sweets, among other things.
The traditional red flower that shines throughout Mexico during this season is the Poinsettia, better known as “Noche Buena”, which used to symbolize for the indigenous people “the new life” that warriors killed in combat achieved.

PIÑATA

No Mexican Christmas can be without the traditional piñata, which is normally made of clay or cardboard, but it is not just any piñata, as it is shaped like a star with seven points, each of which symbolizes a capital sin.

Inside there are usually typical Mexican sweets, better known as snacks, fruits and other prizes, but to get them you must hit the piñata with a stick and with your eyes covered with a scarf that represents blind faith.

The one who hits first has to turn around several times to lose his sense of direction while others sing: “Go, go, go, don't lose your way, because if you lose it, you lose your way. You've hit it once, you've hit it twice, you've hit it three times and your time is up. One, two, three!”

Once the piñata is broken, everyone enjoys delicious typical Mexican dishes such as: tamales, buñuelo, churros, ponche and hot chocolate, among others.

You can enjoy all this and much more on your next visit to Kali Escandón, where with all the Mexican atmosphere and warmth that distinguishes us, we will make your stay a unique moment so that you feel comfortable.