December is the month of holiday celebrations. Around December 25th, family dinners and gift exchanges come with the arrival of Santa Claus for Americans. For Latino Americans,  Christmas celebration as early as December the 16th starts with las posadas–reenactments of the biblical Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. There is so much to know about both!

Leading up to Christmas, Americans will make gingerbread houses and cookies with their loved ones. Some even go out and sing Christmas carols, knocking door-to-door and singing for any one that answers and even go to public places and start singing out of nowhere. Similarly, Latino Americans also have all their family all together bond, talk, and have fun. Tables are often filled with tamales, pozole, chiles rellenos, menudo, and more. Just like the gingerbread houses, sweets are around. For desserts, many homes make pie de limon, some arroz con leche, atole, bunuelos, ojarascas, and even champurrado, which are enjoyed on the day of Christmas and Christmas Eve. Plates in non-Latino homes may have mashed potatoes, stuffing, baked ham,  turkey, and eggnog to drink

Though Americans and Latino Americans do have some different traditions, both typically center around decorating a tree together and even going to church. At all masses, candles are lit, and everyone honors Jesus to celebrate his birth. All want to spread goodwill for this special occasion with many taking on charitable and volunteer work.

It's good to have such diverse practices because we get to learn new traditions! Every Christmas Eve, I visit my mom’s side of the family in Acuna. I never knew my family did things in a special way growing up, but now–seeing people different from me–I get to discover the differences. This way, I can try other traditions and better understand how each is special.