Christmas parties: Who to spend it with and how to enjoy it?
One topic that always comes up during December is: who will you spend the holidays with? This question is asked among friends, family, and co-workers. In the end, each decision is unique and personal; however, we can’t help but wonder about the best way to enjoy this season, especially when couples often argue over which family to spend it with. An important consideration is that it is easier to organize a Christmas dinner in a small family nucleus, with just a couple of casseroles and a few glasses of wine. Of course, the more family (they say), the better. Of course, the more people, it is usually more challenging to reach an agreement. But if you are one of those who love the hustle and bustle, go ahead! We have been continuously asking ourselves if spending Christmas with many people is really necessary; because one thing is for sure: not everyone shares the same story or the same family. Some enjoy spending it with just one person, and others enjoy having a full house. They could have a special banquet where everyone brings a dish and have fun with board games or exciting conversations Some couples have family far away and cannot travel either because of work or other commitments. For them, an excellent option is to stay at home and enjoy a romantic Christmas by candlelight and plan a movie night. We believe it is very important to avoid the prejudices that might arise from watching so many movies. Holidays are not only celebrated one way because people don’t behave in the same way. Christmas is a time for giving, yes, but it is not just about selecting the same group of people. We believe that variety is entertaining and interesting, and every year can be different. We encourage you to try something different during this holiday season. Get together with friends you haven’t seen in a long time or spend time with family and the people you choose to love forever.
Try these suggestions to enjoy a different kind of posada
We are finally a few weeks away from celebrating the long-awaited Christmas, and, for Mexicans, the holidays are not only limited to December 24 and 25. If there is a «modern» tradition that we have carried with us for generations, it’s the Winter holidays, and December is famous for its posadas. The posadas are festivities that have been celebrated in Mexico since colonial times. Its origin is religious, representing the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem. Curiously, before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Aztecs celebrated the arrival of Huitzilopochtli during the month of «panquetzaliztli» (equivalent to December), and these festivities lasted around 20 days. The fusion between both customs did not take long to occur, and today we have the punch and the songs and moments with our loved ones that are unique and unforgettable. Customs change depending on the generation experiencing them. Therefore, even though we know that posadas are more often held in homes, we love the idea of experimenting and finding new spaces for our posadas, somewhere we can feel in complete harmony. Start by finding a setting that represents you, somewhere you can be yourself and demonstrate all your traditions. Remember that the more amenities available, the better things will work out. In that sense, a private reservation at a restaurant or hotel terrace is a great and intimate way to celebrate your traditions. Why not try something different? That way, this year’s posada will be something to remember. Food is essential. Not only does it bring people together, but it is also a way of showing affection. We have always believed that letting someone cook for you is better than spending all day cooking. Hiring a caterer is simple and offers countless possibilities for all tastes. Don’t forget the dessert! Having something sweet and warm at the end of the dinner will surely bring about stories and good memories. Finally, if you want to try different types of ambiance, after singing the traditional Christmas posada songs, you can play some classical music in the background or even folk songs that remind you of people who are no longer around. If you like more modern music, why not give it a try? In the end, there is no rule for celebrating in our country and, maybe, that is part of its charm.
When to start Christmas shopping?
We know that the holiday mood is already building, the change in the weather is in the air, weekend traffic seems to be heavier, and store windows are already displaying their iconic green and red. We are only a month away from celebrating many people’s favorite holiday, but we have to accept that our urban personality tends to lead us to shop at the last minute. So when is the best time to start your holiday shopping? Honestly, we think there is no perfect date to go shopping, mainly because not everyone has the same disposition and available time. If you usually take care of your money, surely the Black Friday and Cyber Monday season (late November) is perfect for you. Of course, there are disadvantages due to the high demand and overcrowding of people in stores. Therefore, it all depends on your personality. If you have the patience to wait in line, go ahead and anticipate as early as November; but if you prefer to take your time, you might be better off doing otherwise. You may not know it, but there are certain days to find more affordable prices; in fact, the brands and stores themselves usually launch their promotions, and they typically take place in December. The best advice we can give you is to contact the store directly or check the official website; you will have much more time to select the gifts. Customer service often provides this sort of information. Another issue to consider is the originality of your gifts; for example, there are bazaars specialized in the Christmas season that contain unique items at a reasonable cost. Also, since most things are for children, you can find thousands of original ideas for buying something special for them, such as a vintage dollhouse or a bicycle. The sooner you make your purchase, the better, especially when it comes to finding the perfect gift. Otherwise, you risk buying something that the person may not like or finding high prices if you shop at the last minute. Lastly, we think making a list is an excellent strategy to speed up your shopping and find something nice. Nowadays there are thousands of options to do your shopping: big stores, markets, bazaars, independent stores or, if you prefer, you can always do your shopping online. If you are in Mexico City, we highly suggest you visit the historic center. It is an area where you will find stores and all kinds of gift options; you can also visit some tourist attractions such as the Zocalo, Bellas Artes, the Citadel, or the Templo Mayor.