Mexican Christmas Decorations

Different cultures across the world have different set patterns for Christmas celebration. Be it the custom of giving gifts or decorating during Christmas, every culture in the world has led in the formation of different customs of Christmas. Every country in the world celebrates Christmas in different ways and Mexico follows suit.

Christmas in Mexico is celebrated every year on the 25th of December. Mexican Christmas traditions are home-based and depend mainly on Mexico's form of Roman Catholicism. Popular cultural traditions in Mexico are called "posadas".

On December 12, Christmas celebrations start in Mexico with the birthday of "La Guadalupana" (Virgin of Guadalupe). The celebrations end on January 6, with the Epiphany. Children don't attend school on January 6. They get up early in the morning to find gifts kept in their room and figures of the Three Magic Kings at "El Nacimiento". In Mexico, not Santa Claus but the Three Wise Men are the ones believed to bring gifts to millions of Mexican children.

Written requests are put by children for the gifts they wish to receive in their shoes. Mexican kids receive their gifts at Epiphany (January 6th).

The construction of the "Nacimiento" (Nativity scene) is an extremely popular custom in Mexico. During Christmas, nearly all the Mexican families create a Nativity scene in their home. A figure of baby Jesus is placed, at midnight on Christmas, in the Nacimientos to celebrate the birth of the Lord. This particular custom is a symbolic representation of Christmas in Mexico as a whole.

Artisans continue making different kinds of nativity scenes for the eve of Christmas. Some nativity scenes may just have Jesus while others may have the surroundings portraying the culture of Bethlehem, Shepherds and the like.

On Christmas Eve an additional verse is put in to the Ave Marias, telling the Virgin Mary that the desired night has arrived. Small children dress up like shepherds and stand on either side of the nativity scene. Members of the company kneel and sing a litany. Then the Christ Child is put to sleep with the cradle song, "El Rorro".

The birth of Christ is announced at midnight on Christmas Eve by glittering fireworks, ringing bells and blowing whistles. The bell-sounds gesture families to the Midnight Mass.

Red Poinsettias are another major part of Mexican Christmas decorations. These Poinsettias are mainly used in Mexican Christmas decorations due to their vibrant red color. The Christmas poinsettia blooms mainly in December. The star shaped petals of these Red Poinsettias are believed to symbolize the star of Bethlehem.

A variety of handcrafted Mexican Christmas ornaments are also used in Mexican Christmas decorations. Tin, iron and clay ornaments are widely used. One can spot Christmas tree made of iron to provide an ethnic touch to Mexican Christmas decorations.

Additionally, Mexican Christmas decorations have to have piñatas. These come in any shape from angels, donkeys, flowers, Santa Claus, clowns and stars all with colored decorations. A prominent part of Mexican decorations is a huge array of piñatas.