Essay A Comparison of Christmas in America and Spain

Christmas in france is way different then christmas in america. Merry christmas in france is “joyeux noel’. The traditions in france are french ornaments, french nativity scenes, and traditional french christmas food. There are many french traditions for christmas that are different than how we celebrate in america. Christmas is a big holiday in france.

Mexican culture celebrates their independence with a holiday and fireworks on Cinco de Mayo. The American ritual for independence is celebrated on July 4th also with a holiday and fireworks. Another ritual that is participated in annually by both Mexican and American cultures is the celebration of Christmas. Gift giving is a common ritual during the Christmas season. There are also some very unique rituals specific to each culture. For starters, one the most distinctive rituals in all of the World takes place in the Mexican culture, Dia de Los Muertos. Dia de Los Muertos is a celebration with masks like skulls and dancing honoring late ancestors. Another ritual specific to the Mexican culture is the holiday recognizing the Lady of the Guadalupe. The ritual feast remembers the sightings of her near present day Mexico City. American culture also contains some unique rituals. A very patriotic ritual takes place in the grade school class everyday; it is called the Pledge of Allegiance. This ritual instills patriotic values as well as teaching loyalty to thy nation. Thanksgiving is another example of a ritual not in Mexican culture that is in American culture.

Christmas is a very special holiday in many countries including Spain and the United States. In the United States Christmas celebration traditionally starts after Thanksgiving. In Spain however it is not celebrated until Christmas Eve with their families.

Mexico celebrates christmas from Dec. 12th to Jan. 6th. From the 16th to christmas eve some of the children perform a reenactment called the “Posada”. If you didn't know “Posada” is Spanish for Lodging or Inn. They have nine Posadas. When they get into the Posadas they decorate with moss, evergreens, and paper lanterns. Each Posada children get a board and candles. They have them to hold painted figures of Mary and Joseph riding on a donkey. They go down the streets and sing songs to each home. The song they sing when they go to the houses is about mary and joseph asking for a room in the Posada. The children are told that there is now room so they must go away. Soon after they are told there is room so they are welcomed in. Once they enter they say prayers and celebrate by having a party with food, games and fireworks. Each night a different house holds the Posada party. On the last night of Posadas there is a whole bunch shepherds on a board. When the posada is done there is a figure of baby jesus in a manger on the board and then there is a church service. After the church

An important holiday celebrated in a lot of Spanish speaking countries is Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of dead relatives. The celebration consists of going to the dead person’s gravestone and decorating it with flowers and some of the dead person’s favorite things. This is done in the hopes of drawing the loved one’s spirit to the gravesite. The thought of a dead person’s spirit being with them doesn’t scare the people who celebrate this holiday, it actually comforts them.

Días de Muertos, or Days of the Dead as it is known in Anglo Saxon countries, is a national holiday in Mexico that allows families to honor their deceased loved ones through a tradition that dates back to pre-colonial Mexico [2]. The holiday is tied so much to Mexican culture that it is also celebrated outside Mexico in regions with strong Mexican heritage ties such as the U.S. [1]. The dead are honored from October 31 - November 2nd with celebration and care over their resting place. October 31 is typically reserved for infants and children who have died and are now known as angelitos (little angels). On November 1st and 2nd Mexico observe its version of the Roman Catholic holidays All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days respectively

October thirty first is known all to well for the American culture of Halloween, but if we broaden our horizons and take a look down south we will learn that it’s the following two days that really matter to the Mexican culture. The Mexican holiday is divided into two days. At approximately 12:00 a.m. on November first Standley Brandes author of “Sugar, Colonialism, and Death: the origins of Mexico’s Day of the Dead,” states it is believed that the gates of heaven are opened up thus allowing the younger kids who have passed to come join their loved ones. This day is referred to “Dia de Los Inocentos”. Now on November second the older ones are allowed to do the same. Both allotted twenty-four hours with their loved ones to engage in eating, drinking and spend time with their beloved, in which time was cut short.

In the afternoon, bells are tolled to signal the arrival of adult spirits. They light candles for the adults then indulge in a traditional evening meal of tamales and moles (Viegas). Finally, the third day is spent resting and recuperating. Everyone gathers at the cemetery where the families lay a tablecloth over the grave of deceased and put candles, food, and drinks around it (Day). Outside the cemetery vendors are set up to cater the families while they celebrate with songs, games, and share heartfelt memories of the deceased. In the afternoon of that day the bells no longer toll and firecrackers are set off. This symbolizes the departure of all spirits until next year (Viegas). In the mix of all of this they do have big parades with people dressed up in the appearance of being dead. This didn’t get added to the traditional holiday until

Dia de Los Santos Reyes (Day of the Holy Kings) is January 6th. It celebrates the remembrance three wise kings. It is viewed as the last day of Christmas (the end of the 12 days of Christmas). In addition to Christmas the children receive gifts from the three wise men. In some cultures in Mexico the children will put hay in there shoes, in hope that the three kings will come and visit on their camels to give something like toys or candy. The streets of major cities are full of gifts, food and outdoor parties. It is tradition to eat rosca de reyes on this celebration. Rosca de reyes is a fruity wreath shaped pastry with a Jesus figurine baked in it.

Colombians celebrate Holy week.Holy week is one of the most important celebration for them.They reflect upon the life of Jesus. Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. They celebrate by going to church and having a big meal that doesn’t contain meat.

The average population of the United States develops themselves on the basic understanding that Christmas is the same recognition around the world. On December 25th, people open gifts, eat a hearty meal, and usually attend some type of religious ceremony. However, the population may be surprised to find that their just perception is wrong. Greenland, Jamaica, Zambia have many traditions that recognize Christmas.

Throughout Latin America Dia de los Muerros is celebrated for almost a week at the end of October and beginning of November. “The central idea is that during this period of public and private (family) rituals the living and dead family members and friends are joined together in an atmosphere of communication and spiritual regeneration,” as said in Religions of Mesoamerica by David Carrasco on page 142. They celebrate by giving food and drinks to the dead, build large or small shrines and have different celebratory things like parades. The celebration has a tradition of the Aztec with cosmovision.

Students are out on summer vacation, parents spend their yearly bonus from work, and every week brings a new festival or holiday celebration. The annual Festival de la Luz, usually held the second Saturday of December, ushers in the Christmas spirit with a huge parade and extravagant light displays through downtown San Jose. No holiday is complete without traditional cuisine, and slow-cooked tamales are the season's most awaited food. While recipes vary, a tamale is made from corn flour stuffed with potatoes, vegetables, and a savory filling such as pork or chicken, wrapped in plantain leaves and then steamed. The preparation is lengthy, and is usually a big family affair that spans several days. Rompope, a version of eggnog, is the drink of choice, paired with queque navideno, a traditional Christmas

Mexico preserves customs and traditions that have come down from hundreds of years ago. The Mexicans believe in a strong artistic expression and therefore incorporates very vibrant colors and detailed art into buildings, streets, and other public places. The colors and art also goes into festivals, holidays, and other traditions. However, the Mexican society has always struggled to present a cohesive identity and they often get discriminated and judged for their way of being. In Mexico, many festivals are celebrated throughout the year. A couple are Dia de la Candelaria and Carnaval. Dia de la Candelaria is celebrated on February 2nd, all over Mexico, and those who were served the plastic doll on Dia de los Reyes Magos host a party on this day. It is a religious holiday celebrated with dancing, music, processions, bullfights, and the blessings of the seeds and candles. Carnaval is a festival that takes place in late February, early March, 46 days before Easter Sunday. The carnival kicks off a five-day celebration before the Catholic lent, and is celebrated with full enthusiasm accompanied with parades, floats, and dancing in the streets. In addition to the Mexican culture comes food. A few famous foods are Pozole, Enchiladas, and Tacos al Pastor. In fact, Tacos al Pastor are one of the most popular types of

This traditional Rosca de Reyes is a breaded cake with a plastic baby inside representing baby Jesus. Inside this cake they include one baby Jesus in all of these cakes for this reason. If you find a tiny plastic baby Jesus in your slice of cake, this means you have to bring tamales for everyone to enjoy on February 2nd, El Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day). This tradition takes place twelve days after Christmas, each year in social reunions with family, and