In Mexico, Christmas is not just a one-day celebration! The Christmas season runs for almost a whole month, starting from the 9th of December to the 6th of January.
The 16th to the 24th of December forms the bulk of the Christmas festivities, and is known as Las Posadas (literally translated to “the inn”). This period involves a series of parties and processions, including events involving the traditional seven-star Mexican Piñata, which is broken by children. Sounds exciting!
After all the Piñata fun, a meal is eaten and an array of sweet food is consumed. Check them out below!
Tamales
Made of masa (or corn-based starch) and steamed in a banana leaf or corn husk, tamales are one of the most popular celebratory dishes in Mexico. They can be filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, chillies and other seasonings.
Atole
This masa-based beverage typically accompanies tamales, and usually contains chocolate or fruit, water, piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon and vanilla. Like tamales, it is highly popular comfort food during Mexico’s nine-day Christmas celebrations. The drink can vary in texture, with either a porridge-like or watery consistency.
Buñuelos
Think of these as the Mexican version of doughnuts – they’re fried balls of goodness and are a popular snack throughout Mexico. They’re usually drenched in brown sugar, cinnamon and guava syrup, and can be topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar or piloncillo.
Ponche Navideño
Best served hot and sweet and from a pot, this festive drink is filled with fruity flavours and aromatic spices. Cloves, Mexican oranges (known as tejocotes), apples, sugar cane, prunes and dried edible flowers such as hibiscus are added to this special drink. For adults, rum or tequila can be added, too. It is usually kept at a hot temperature for guests – so by the time they arrive, the aromatic scent wafts through the house. Sounds like our kind of drink!
Let us know if you’ve tried any of the above, or how you celebrate your holidays Old El Paso™ style on our
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