Feliz Navidad - Our Christmas Traditions

Christmas season is in full swing around here and not a moment too soon. Christmas around here usually means space near the tree can no longer be found. I know you think I am kidding, but I'm not.



And this is only a fraction of it!! Which is really weird, because this year the adults didn't even buy any gifts for each other; we collectively decided to adopt two local families and buy for them instead, which was A LOT of fun. So where the heck did all this other stuff come from?

In a word: GRANDMA.

With 25 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild I suppose it was inevitable. We expect to see the tree again on December 26th.

In the meantime, we will stuff ourselves with some traditional Mexican fare: Homemade Tamales & Capirotada. If you have never tried it, go find some! If you've never heard of it, go check it out, I'll wait here. Although Capirotada is traditionally served during Lent, we make it for Christmas too. There is something about holidays and family recipes that just makes it a requirement.



I would share my Grandma Mikaela's super delicious recipe, but then I would be voted out of the family. So trust me on this, it is quite yummy.

This past weekend was our Tamale Extravaganza, in which we attempted to host a party AND make a bazillion tamales. Even the kitchen was decorated in a Tamale Theme, Grandma strikes again!

Sixty pounds of masa later we had Red Chile & Pork, Red Chile & Turkey and Green Chile & Cheese tamales out the wazoo! I wouldn't call the party a tradition per se. Unless you count that traditionally we only do this once every 3 years or so; just long enough for us to forget how much work it is!! When we get nostalgic we make tamales from scratch. Next year we will go back to my brother standing in line on a cold December morning to purchase them from Liliana's like every one else. Now that is a tradition I can live with.

Do you have any family or cultural holiday traditions at your house?


Thanks for peeking,