Decorating Tips for a Mexican Christmas: Mexican Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

1538 saw the first Mexican Christmas celebration in which all of the Indians for many miles were invited to Mexico City to attend. The holiday was well-loved by all and adapted for a yearly tradition by the Indians who attended, and later, the Christian missionaries added their own traditions to those of the Mexican tradition. Certain Mexican Christmas ornaments and decorations are an essential part of a Mexican Christmas celebration. Many of these will be familiar, as our American traditions took root in the Mexican celebration as well. For a true Mexican Christmas celebration, you will need these Mexican Christmas decorations:

Flowers

Adding flowers were the first changes that the original Indians added to the celebration in the years following that first Christmas. Scarlet poinsettias are often the flower of choice in Mexico, as well as in the United States. Poinsettias can be purchased at any retail department store throughout the holidays, but be careful: the plant is poisonous.

Pinatas

What's a Mexican celebration without a piñata? You can buy a piñata at a specialty party store, but it's just as easy to make your own using a balloon, a glue made from flour and water, old newspaper torn into 2 inch wide strips, and acrylic paint. Blow up the balloon and tie the end. Dip newspaper strips in glue and cover the ballon with a thick layer. Allow to dry overnight (Dry by tying to a string and hanging where it doesn't touch anything). Add another coat or two until it's hard. Paint.

Balloons

Blow up lots of balloons in red, green, and white and use to decorate your home. These are a very traditional Mexican Christmas decoration.

Straw Ornaments

You could make your own, probably, but it's much easy if you buy straw ornaments shaped like bells or candy canes from a site like My Mercado Mexican Imports. You can often find straw ornaments in Target's holiday section.

http://www.mymercadomexicanimports.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/17541/endrw/12

Hand-crafted Mexican ornaments

Mexican holiday ornaments frequently feature hand-crafted ornaments using locally-available materials. Make your own using recycling tin cans and wire shears (be careful not to cut yourself!) or buy them online at the sites referenced in this article. Better yet, find a local Mexican artist and support the arts by buying directly from the source.

Religious Banners

It wouldn't be Mexican without religious banners, featuring images of saints and Christmas greetings like "Felix Navidad." Buy one at a specialty party store or easily design your own with construction paper taped together in a long banner and acrylic paints. A great project for kids. You could even design potato stamps shaped like stars to accent the work.

Candles

Candles provide light and celebrate the spirit. Use tealight candles for the safest candle burning, or use tall pillars. Never burn candles unattended, and be particularly attentive of young children if you burn candles while they are in your home.

Nativity Scene

Don't forget what the holiday is all about, and make sure to have a nativity scene in your home. Direct From Mexico http://www.directfrommexico.com/mexican-folk-art--xmas-decor.html sells hand-carved wooden nativity sets, but you could also involve the kids and create your own from polymer clay. Don't forget to make a snake and a devil, as the Mexican tradition includes the evil forces rather than just ignoring them.