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geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

I�ve tried this on the Thorn Tree with no response and am hoping with this community of less transitory expatriots, someone might be able to at least give me a partial answer to this question.

I remember that on December 18th the celebration of Xmas at that time involves a grouping mostly consisting of children, accompanied by adult chaperones wandering through their puebla handholding votive candles. A few days later the prepubescent girls try on their angel wings at night and visit the local iglesia with the family. And on the 22nd, the younger tykes get to swing at the pinata. Can anyone give me the full schedule of Xmas activities as traditionally practiced in MX? And the week when the housewives visit their neighbors�living room display of JC in the manger and pray for hours, does that start on the 24th and end on the 30th?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Some of what you've written is familiar, some I've never heard of. Maybe try a google search on Mexican posada for a schedule, running from the 16th to the 24th, as far as my family celebrates.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

I'm glad this thread popped up. I'm scheduled to go to Ciudad Obregon where part of my girlfriend's family lives a couple days after I do the Christmas thing here in the States.

As I understand it gifts are more traditionally given on the 'Dia de los Reyes Magos', which I think is Epiphany ( +or- ).

I guess what I'm concerned with is... I may be driving from Northern California and I may not be. How do I handle gift-giving? Something for her brother, sister, and each parent? for the family as a whole? They'll be driving back to Coahuila, so I don't want it to be anything too big... but I'm not sure how to handle it. I know what I'm doing about her, and sometimes prefer to ask people other than my girlfriend on tips about her culture... even though I majored in well... them.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:22 pm Post subject:

My response in the same a Guys. Some of that sounds familiar but some doesn't. I suspect there is a lot of regional variation. Just like in the US. Did you know that where I come from Trick or Treater's must tell a joke at each house in order to get the candy?

Posada is going through the streets, and then a party at someone's house. If you are known for your nativity scene, anyone and everyone will drop buy to see it. Around here kids take a swing at a pi�ata anytime the can convience an adult to hang one up! But usually 24, 25, 28, 31, 1, and 6th.
Around here the posadas start on the 22nd and go until the 28, but schools and stuff often have one or two before the 22nd. Then there is a big hoopla for new years (which I think is more prehispanic around here, it envolve the lighting of the fire and sitting vigial by the fire all night, and of course lots of fireworks Cool

). Then on the 6th of course there is the rosca de reyes and gifts.
Mikey, in my experience only the kids get given gifts, but my Mexican family is usually always strapped for cash so maybe that's why they only buy gifts for the kids. The further north you go, the more likely Santa will visit as well. I think you're best off asking your girlfriend (or another aquaintance from C. O.
Christmas is not my favorite time of year in Mexico. It's really the only time I miss the US.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

My Mexican family exchanges gifts at Christmas time. It's gotten pretty commercial here. Christmas stuff was out in the stores at the same time as all the Halloween stuff. Now there's a headache waiting to happen!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

My in-laws are an out-of-control HUGE family...so they've gone Chris Kringle gift exchange format, though all the kids get extra gifts. Chris Kringle, if I've gone and used an Ottawa Valley term, is where everyone draws a single family member name out of a hat and gets a gift for that person. I keep drawing my father in-law...

They started to put Christmas decorations up yesterday in my hood. My wife has been holy jolly all week. I suspect I shall soon be drafted into hanging the lights or hauling a tree home.

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

Trees spendy in your neck of the woods Guy?They are running 350 pesos for 7 footers here.The floristas are already selling holiday wreaths.And I changed by office locks today to continue to keep out holiday decoraters.
We all have to have our traditions.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Depends on the kind of tree. Real pines from Mexico are under 300 pesos. US or Canadian Douglas Firs from the north west run between 400 and 1000 depending on size...up to 3 metres that I've seen. I was told the other day that some kind of fungus is plaguing pines this year in the North West.

I had a 2.5 metre US tree last year. Set me back 600 and many strange looks as I hauled it home on my back 'cross 3 colonias.

I don't know what plastic trees cost.

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

We opted for a wee "living" Christmas tree this year - a potted Douglas fir. Only set me back $180 and can be planted later.

MELEE · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

I bought a living (potted) tree three years ago, about 2ft. tall, it was actually a cedar, and it died before new years. Crying or Very sad

I'm considering going artificial. They've come so far in the last two decades and look quite nice now, well some of them do. Our house is very small, so I'm looking at small ones about 3 or 4 feet tall, them seem to be from 180 to 1000 pesos! depending on the quality of course. I love Christmas trees, but on the other hand I don't really like them in southern Mexico, all the meaning behind the "ever green" is lost. Sad

I might as well decorate a ficus!

travisncali · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Federal Distrito

Guy, I think I would pay to see you carry the tree through 3 col. I am still trying to picture it. Very Happy

Cheers, Travis

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

No pics of me hauling it, but I did take a few when I got home.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Poor Guy, the foot getting you down, hey? If its any consolation, you're not alone, I nearly killed myself today when my as yet un-operated knee fell out from under me. Going to the surgeon's on Wednesday to demand new holes be cut in me! Wink

Would it cheer you up to take some nice photos of DF with the Christmas decorations up? Love the Zocalo this time of year. Bogota's got a cracking display this year, but somehow its not quite the same.

Feel better,
Lozwich. Wink