Submitted by J. Kursulis, Scottsdale
Christmas is called "Ziemassvetki" in Latvia. On Christmas Eve Santa comes to the house and distributes gifts to those that have been good, and reeds to the bad ones. At least one real candle must be lit on the Christmas tree. At the holidays we always had Piragi for the holiday meal. These are small biscuits filled with bacon, ham and onion and then cooked. I still make pork aspic for the holidays.
To celebrate the New Year we pour luck (melted lead that you can purchase at a hardware store) in cold water. When it takes shape and cools everyone views the shadow that is created on the wall. Your future is predicted for that year. There were people that were serious about interpreting these shadows. For instance, if the edges around the figure are very ragged that means you'll have money. Another tradition for New year's is to bake a cake with a coin wrapped inside. Whoever gets the coin will be prosperous that year.
Mexico
Submitted by M. Bielert, Scottsdale
Like many celebrations in Mexico, they are a blend of religious and pagan. It all starts on December 16th. The Posadas are celebrated for 9 nights before Christmas to commemorate the return of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph to their home in Nazareth, with the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Families, neighbors and friends get together in the farthest home and start to walk to another house carrying the statues of Mary and Joseph, praying the Rosary in honor of Mary. Four houses are designated as stops and the pilgrims sing asking for shelter. The people inside the house respond singing that there is no shelter for them that their house is not an inn. When they arrive to the 5th house they are welcomed and by this time the prayer of the Rosary is completed and the party begins.
First everybody is offered a "ponche" a delicious blend of cinnamon tea with guavas, "tejocotes" (like miniature golden apples) and prunes, for the adults, of course, with "piquete" a shot of rum or cognac. After all the walking everybody is hungry and a dinner is served with tamales, tostadas, beans, etc. Then we have the pinata. When it is broken, little toys and fruit drop from it to the delight of children. Then the hostess gives little baskets with candy and fruit to everybody and the bunuelos (similar to Indian fry bread but thinner) are served with more "ponches". All this is accompanied by the traditional villancicos (Mexican Christmas carols). Finally, anxiously waited by the youngsters, the dance begins. Many couples have first met during the posadas.
Not everybody survives eight nights of parties. The 9th night, the 24th of December, is "Nochebuena" and it is usually celebrated with a more formal dinner at home with family. Feliz Navidad!!!
- - - - - - - - - -
Tree lightings, holiday lights, festivals, holiday music and entertainment, gift guides and holiday travel tips -- find them all in the Christmas Holidays Guide for Greater Phoenix.
