Holiday season in Mexico and Spain

* Happens from el 16 de diciembre hasta el 24 de diciembre

* Commemorates the Journey that Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a safe refuge * Parades happen everyday to honor Mary and Joseph * Mass generally happens after everything has ended everyday

* Pinatas in the shapes of stars (because the North star helped guide Mary and Joseph) are broken open by children in celebration.

* Children in Spain do not look at Santa Claus as the person who brings their gifts. * St. Nicholas (el 6 de diciembre), Papa Noel, or Los Reyes Magos (el 6 de enero) are looked at as the one’s who bring the presents.

* Christmas Eve: * When families go to midnight mass * The big meal is generally after in the early morning hours * Seafood is a big part of the meal

* El 22 de diciembre: El gordo  the big lotto drawing for Spain * El 28 de diciembre: Dia de los Innocentes  day of the innocent  Spanish equivalent to April Fools Day * El 31 de diciembre: New Years Eve  At 12 midnight, everyone eats 12 grapes for good luck

* Celebrated le 24 diciembre * It has been said that Muhammad did not believe in celebrating births or deaths * Stories are told during this day about Muhammad and how he forgave his enemies

* Donate * Exchange gifts * Eat sweets

* Children get a chance to ride ponies and other fun activities * Classes of reading the Qur’an

* La Celebracion de Januca calso called La Celebraction de luces * Celebrated le 6-14 diciembre (think of Adam Sandler- they have 8 CRAZY nights!)

* The eight candles represent the length it took for the Macabees to reclaim the Holy Jewish temple by the Greco-Syrian king * The ninth candle on the menorah is used as a lighter candle for the rest of the 8 candles

* During this time period, Jewish people eat more fried foods than the norm * This is because of the story about the lamp that the Macabees had only having enough oil for 1 night but burned for 8 instead * Laktes are common (fried potato pancakes)