How to throw a real mexican posada party
Las Posadas is a Mexican celebration that is also held in many parts of the Southwestern U.S. It takes place over the 9 days leading up to Christmas (December 16-24), and commemorates Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay when they came to Bethlehem and their eventual arrival at the stable where Jesus was born. The celebration usually involves a parade where children representing Joseph and Mary (who is sometimes riding on a little burro if one is available), the three kings and the shepherds, march from house to house, singing a traditional song requesting a room at the inn. At all the houses they are turned away except for the last one, where they are told they may take shelter in the stable then welcomed into the house where the party begins. Throwing a Las Posadas party, the Mexican way, can closely resemble the traditional Las Posadas that take place annually in Mexico. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nativity scene or creche
- Poinsettias
- CDs of Mexican music
- Tamales
- Ponche (punch), Noche Buena beer and Mexican hot chocolate
- Star-shaped piñata
- Fireworks
Instructions
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Decorate your house with a large nativity scene or creche. You don't have to get rid of the Christmas tree, but Las Posadas is definitely a religious celebration, and it's all about the nativity, so this must be a focal point of the decorations. Do not place the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas Eve, though.
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Place many poinsettias around the house as well. The poinsettia, or Flor de Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Flower), blooms all over Mexico during the Christmas season.
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Play some lively Mexican mariachi-style music. Mix in some traditional Mexican Christmas songs as well, to keep the holiday spirit.
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Be sure to include tamales on your refreshment table. This dish of steamed corn dough, usually with a pork or chicken filling, is a traditional Mexican Christmas-time treat.
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Mix up some "ponche" for the adults. This alcoholic punch is made with fruits, cinnamon and some type of spirit such as rum or tequila. Some may prefer Noche Buena, a seasonal dark Mexican beer. For the children, you may serve cinnamon-flavored Mexican hot chocolate.
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Blindfold the kids so they can play the piñata game. The traditional piñata used as Las Posadas parties is usually star-shaped to represent the star that the three kings followed to guide them to Bethlehem.
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Go all out and end the evening with a bang if you can swing it. Many traditional Mexican Las Posadas celebrations end with a fireworks display.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to keep your pets and small children away from the poinsettias, as they are toxic. You may actually want to use plastic ones or skip them altogether if you do have pets or kids.
Check on your local fireworks laws before you set off so much as a sparkler, as many communities have banned fireworks.
References
- Photo Credit mexican bowls image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
