Christmas in Mexico, 2006, by Yized

From MemoryArchive

Who: Yized
What: Christmas
When: September 2006
Where: Washington, IA

Christmas Eve was always a busy day in the small town of Juan Aldama in Zacatecas, Mexico. I remember my mom getting up early in the morning to go to the market and buy everything for the night’s celebration, with my sister and me holding on to each of her hands. That particular year my mom was responsible for providing the hot fruit punch, so by the end of our shopping we would be struggling home with heavy plastic bags full of fruits.

My mom wouldn’t start the punch until mid-afternoon, so after putting the fruit away, she would go over to grandma’s house where the real commotion was. Grandma would be busy with the preparations of the night’s dinner: tamales. All my aunts, including mom, would gather around and help cook the different fillings for the tamales. I could hear their laughter echoing inside the kitchen, sometimes so loud that birds perched on nearby trees would scatter in fright.

My sister, cousins, and me would be outside in the patio, playing hopscotch and trying to keep out of the adult’s way. As the sun started to cast long shadows, my mom would go back home to start the fruit punch, my sister would scamper after her; always eager to help. I would remain in the patio, watching my uncles carry in various decorations, including a fat star-shaped piñata that was sure to be full of candy.

Once the tamales were sealed shut and boiling in water, everyone would go and relax before getting ready for the festivities. Since I had nothing else to do, I would go home and start wrapping presents for the gift exchange later that night. An hour before the party, I would be practically jumping with excitement; my sister right beside me. First came the gift exchange, where the whole family would gather around grandma’s large dining room with their presents beautifully wrapped on the dining table.

I was always embarrassed when my turn came to receive or give a present because there would always be a lot of hugging going around. Thankfully it didn’t last long. Next would be dinner, the tamales and hot fruit punch had my mouth watering and stomach groaning. I didn’t know what kind to get, there was pork, chicken, cheese, and candy. I loved them all, specially the cheese tamales; soft and chewy.

The party really began when holiday music was turned on and the piñata came out, everyone would gather in a circle outside and waited for their turn to hit it. I would prefer to watch in the sidelines, waiting for the first candies to fall out, than do the physical stuff. But just like everyone else, a blindfold would be placed over my eyes and a hard cold, wooden pole would be trusted into my hands. I would then be rotated around until I became unsteady on my feet and I would try to hit the piñata, but there only seemed to be air.

“Behind you, it’s behind you!” voices would shout with glee.

I didn’t really cared about the hitting, I just wanted the candy and when the piñata finally broke (thanks to older cousins) , I would be there in the middle of a war. The rest of the night would be spent dancing and eating some more. But I was sure to go to bed early, I didn’t want to oversleep on Christmas Day.