A San Antonio Christmas

San Antonians have developed their own unique mix and take on traditions from their family heritage and culture.
In SA, Christmas isn't Christmas without tamales. Families gather together to make them in assembly line fashion, one spooning masa on corn husks, one slathering on tamale filling, either pork, jalapeno bean or chicken, one sealing the wrapped filling in the husks, etc. Then, of course, there's those of us who love tamales but wouldn't dare attempt the daunting task of homemade ones. We stand in line, sometimes for hours to buy them. SA has many restaurants famous for their exceptional tamales but the corner store where we buy tortillas and barbacoa is often the best source.
 





The Christmas lights on the River Walk are always impressive but a local San Antonio custom during the month of December is a visit to the





Windcrest neighborhood "Light Up," an annual contest for the best yard light display. They put out a map each year outlining the decorated homes.




2005 Contest Winner







An unusual tradition is the Blessing of the Animals. A 31-year custom in SA, a priest from Mission San Jose blesses animals on a stage in Market Square.








All animals are welcome from snakes to llamas!

























Held in early December, this festive event also involves strolling mariachis and of course a meeting with Santa Claus AND Pancho Claus.






So, San Antonio, where Christmas is only one of our reasons to celebrate, invites you to visit us.

And here at Hidden Valley our campers get into the spirit of the holidays also. Ya'll come see us.
We'll show you how to get the most out of your visit and provide maps, parking info and the best routes through downtown.
SEE YOU SOON!

A Mexican Style Christmas in San Antonio

In Mexico, Christmas has a few different twists. While most San Antonio residents follow the American style of Christmas, some still retain the Mexican traditions that have been passed down through generations.

EL DIA DE LOS REYES MAGOS also called The Epiphany.

On the night, of January 5, the figurines of the Three Wise Men are added to the nativity scene. Before going to bed the children place their old shoes under their bed or in the living room, where the Wise Men will leave them their presents. Some also place outside the house, some hay and a bucket with water for the animals, and even some cookies and milk for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar.
You can feel the excitement building up! With twinkling eyes, the children eagerly, and constantly ask what time it is, wishing for time to fly so they could open their presents.

Reluctantly they go off to bed.

As soon as they wake up, which is earlier than any other day, they run to see the gifts that the Three Magi left for them. Happiness overflows every Mexican home.

The children spend the day playing and admiring each other’s presents, sharing them with friends, talking about how they were able to hear or see the Reyes Magos when they arrived at their home, how one of them heard the camel’s footsteps, how the other saw a shining crown in the dark night!

Meanwhile, adults prepare for the Merienda de Reyes, an early evening dinner that friends and families share to celebrate the Epiphany. Some families celebrate with a Rosca de Reyes, or wise men's cake.

ROSCA DE REYES

People go to the markets and stores to get the needed ingredients to prepare the feast.
Many bakeries offer the Rosca de Reyes, an oval sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit. There are Roscas of all sizes, very small ones for two or three people and up to the ones that will delight more that twenty people.

The Merienda de Reyes is truly a multicultural event. The Spaniards brought the tradition of celebrating the Epiphany and sharing the Rosca to the New World. The Rosca is served along with Tamales, made of corn which was the pre-Hispanic food par excellance, and hot chocolate. Chocolate is also a gift from the native peoples of the New World.
Hidden inside this delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden in symbol of the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place where King Herod would not find Him.

Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca . The knife is supposed to symbolize the danger the Christ child was in. One by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hopping they didn't get the figurine. Whoever gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2, Candelaria or Candle mass day, and he also shall get a new Ropón or dress for the Baby Jesus of the Nativity scene.

The Mexican Christmas season is extended up to February 2 , when the nativity scene is put away, and another family dinner of delicious tamales and hot chocolate is served.

Tune in tomorrow for San Antonio's unique mix of traditions that you can experience for yourselves by planning a visit to Hidden Valley RV on your next trip to the San Antonio area.

The Holidays, San Antonio Style

A melting Pot of Cultures and Traditions

San Antonio is a city full of culture and tradition during the holidays. With cultural roots ranging from German to Mexican to Belgian, the holidays in the Alamo City are unlike anywhere else! To help you celebrate like a true San Antonian, the next few posts will take you through a virtual tour of the traditions and customs many San Antonians enjoy.

Every year in early December, which is when the GERMANS begin to celebrate the holiday, they don a large Christmas tree and hold the Kristkindlmarkt a traditional German Christmas Outdoor Market with Hand Crafted Gifts, Clothing, Crafts, Jewelry, Florals, Arrangements, Decorations, Gingerbread Houses, Pottery, Baskets, Ornaments, Quilts, Quillows & More. Attendees can savor and enjoy the German Christmas atmosphere, foods, beverages, music, entertainment, shopping... the "Gemuetlichkeit" of the holiday season. A special visit from Nikolaus (Santa Claus) for the Children. Admission is Free . Some featured German delicacies include Erbsensuppe (Split Pea Soup), Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut, Ruben Sandwich, Kaffee und Kuchen, Gluehwein (warm, spiced wine), bier and Heisse und Kalte Getraenke.

Instead of just one Santa, Germans have two: St. Nick and Father Christmas, who wears a long dark robe and carries a sack of gifts. When the season begins children are to leave their shoes, (not stockings) at the door for St Nick so he can fill them with cookies and candy, but only if they were good. Bad children receive coal.

Next time you look at your tree, thank the Germans. Traditionally, Germans purchase the tree the morning of Christmas eve and decorate it in the evening using white and silver colors. Children aren't allowed to see the tree till later in the evening and enjoy the fun tradition of searching for the HIDDEN pickle ornament on the tree.

You won't have far to search for HIDDEN VALLEY RV if you come to visit our cultural city. Give me a call or drop a comment on our blog to get any travel details you'd like about South Texas and San Antonio.

Tomorrow, Ill report on some Mexican Traditions and customs and finish up with San Antonio's unique brand of Christmas traditions drawn from all it's varied residents from around the globe.