MEXICAN - AMERICAN CHRISTMAS TRADITION

CIRCA 1900

This adobe represents the blending of Spanish, Native American, English, European and American cultures. It was originally built by a Spanish/Mexican family and so we have chosen to highlight the Mexican Christmas traditions of their day.

Las Posadas is the most important Christmas tradition in Mexican homes. Children go around the village pretending to be Mary and Joseph looking for a room in which to stay. One family would "agree" to let them stay and this home would host a big party. The nativity scene is the most prominent Christmas decoration in the home. The decorated tree was a European import and Mexican-American families adopted the tradition later in the 1900's but never gave it the prominence it holds in many American homes.

In old California the native trees, shrubs and flowers, in addition to plenty of candles, were used to brighten the home.