How to Decorate a Mexican Home for Christmas

The nativity scene (El Nacimiento in Spanish) is the most important part of the Christmas decorations displayed in most Mexican homes.

Things You'll Need

• Nativity Scenes
• Spanish Mosses
• Cardboard Boxes
• Nativity Sets
• Poinsettias
• Tables
• Cardboard boxes

Instructions

1. Set up a nativity scene in your living room or another prominent place in the front of your home.

2. Arrange the scene on a tabletop covered with paper painted in earth tones (papel roca).

3. Use boxes to create a landscape with hills and mountains.

4. Select clay or plaster figurines to represent the Holy Family.

5. Add an angel, along with the animals, shepherds and their flocks.

6. Include a serpent and Lucifer to represent evil forces.

7. Scatter plastic toy houses to establish a village.

8. Use Spanish moss to hold all of the figures in place.

9. Decorate a small Christmas tree (arbolito), which can either be set up as part of the nativity scene or can be displayed in a separate room.

10. Display flor de Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Flower), known in English-speaking countries as poinsettia.

Tips & Warnings

• On Christmas Eve, place Baby Jesus in the crib to complete the nativity scene.

• Most people in Mexico use artificial Christmas trees.

Resources

• Letter From Santa
• Christmas Recipes