Regional Christmas traditions - share your favorites! (2013, homes)
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I love many different Christmas traditions, and as an American, we enjoy a hodge podge of traditions from all over the world, but I have a few favorites from Texas:
I love the fresh homemade tamales that families make together and exchange. I haven't ever made any but I think that's a great tradition.
I also like the luminarias. I will probably put some out this year.
Texas also has a strong German influence. One of my all time favorite things to do is to lay on the sofa at night, with just the light from the fireplace and the Christmas tree, and listen to "Silent Night" sung in the original German. Sweet!
Oh, another thing that's pretty traditional here in Texas, but which I do not do, is putting a wreath on the grill of a pickup truck. Also, many vehicles sport the antlers that clip onto vehicle windows, and then they attach a big red nose to the grill. I don't do it but I think it's funny!
Another huge tradition around here is lighting up the courthouse and the square. I like that. I live near Kilgore TX and they always light up the oil derricks throughout town. I think that's cool.
The German Christmas market in Chicago is amazing! We have a nice, small one in Baltimore, and there’s a good one in Philly, but the Chicago one just has this feeling and experience that is just fantastic.
The German Christmas market in Chicago is amazing! We have a nice, small one in Baltimore, and there’s a good one in Philly, but the Chicago one just has this feeling and experience that is just fantastic.
Germans really know how to do Christmas! I imagine that the Christmas market in Chicago is great.
Luminarias here in Albuquerque are my favorite regional Christmas tradition. The tradition started in northern New Mexico where they were originally small bonfires. They are known as farolitos by many people in northern New Mexico.
Albuquerque's annual Luminaria Tour on Christmas Eve is in its 54th year and always sells out within a few hours after tickets go on sale, which is the day after Thanksgiving. The tour winds around Old Town Albuquerque and the Country Club neighborhood. The general public is free to drive along the route, but the tour buses have priority. You can also walk along the route to enjoy it.
Many other neighborhoods and places in Albuquerque also have organized displays. I'd say probably one third of all homes in Albuquerque will put out luminarias on Christmas Eve. Many people have also now started lighting them on New Year's Eve as well.
Las Posadas are another Christmas tradition that I love in New Mexico. They are a recreation of the journey of Mary and Joseph the night Jesus was born. The Barelas neighborhood here in Albuquerque has the oldest and largest of these recreations in New Mexico. This will be its 73rd year and it always takes place the Saturday before Christmas. The neighborhood streets are lined with luminarias for the event and it always features a live donkey. It also features matachines dancers and drums to incorporate Mexican and Native heritage as well.
Biscochitos, posole and tamales are food traditions in New Mexico for Christmas that I love. Biscochitos are the New Mexico state cookie. They are anise-flavored shortbread cookies rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Many people color them red and green for Christmas.
Williamsburg is famous for its wreaths featuring fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, many of the wreaths have shells and other natural materials. Many of the CW businesses incorporate small things that represent them, such as shoe buckles, playing cards, pipes, hair ribbons, small flour bags, etc.
Another local tradition is apples placed into small notches of brick buildings. The notches were originally used to hold scaffolding, but in December people put apples in them.
Williamsburg is big on ceremonies to light the cressets, bonfires (in particular, a yuletide bonfire at WM when the students go off for winter break), candles in windows, and fireworks (called the Grand Illumination). There are lots of concerts and theatrical productions. Lots of caroling and wassailing in the colonial area.
This is an extremely social town, so December is usually one party after another. In January it feels like everyone joins a gym and claims they will lose the 15 pounds they put on the month before.
Ice skating is big here.
Last edited by Piney Creek; 11-18-2018 at 08:16 AM..
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