Mexican Christmas celebrations start on December 3rd, with the novena (nine-day prayer cycle) that leads up to the Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and continue all the way to Candlemas on February 2nd.
Agenda:
1. Light a candle for Mary:
 |
| Lady of Guadalupe |
Catholics have a strong devotion to Mary. Now at Advent, when I wait for grace as Mary waited for the birth of Jesus, I light a candle and honor Mary as a feminine face of God. I pray-
Mother Spirit, open my heart to love and understanding, so I can be tolerant of those who believe differently. Settle me into the peace of this season, and give me the patience to wait, and the strength to act on my convictions.
2. Make paper roses:
When Juan Diego saw Mary, he also found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, blooming in December on the normally barren hilltop. Because of that miracle, roses are a traditional decoration on this day.
I made paper roses (seen above with the candle), following the tutorial here.
3. Make a piñata for Las Posadas:
Las Posadas is one really cool Mexican Christmas tradition; it's a series of nightly processions and parties that begin on December 16th and continue until Christmas Eve. (I'll post more about it later.)
Supplies: Large balloon, newspapers and plain newsprint, flour paste, foam or plastic plate, strong string, towels, warm water tub for rinsing hands
1- Tear up all your strips- make large piles of both newspaper and plain newsprint.
2- Make papier-mâché paste in a fairly shallow bowl: Start with 1-1/2 c. white flour and add water, stirring with a wisk, until you have a smooth and fairly thick paste. (I used to make a cooked paste, but this simpler one dries more firmly.)
3- Blow up the balloon and set it in a nest of towels or inside a large bowl to keep it from rolling around.
4- Cover the entire balloon with four layers of papier-mâché. I keep track of layers by alternating newspaper and plain newsprint.
You will need to make another batch of paste- probably another cup of flour will be enough.
4- Tie a harness of strong string around the balloon, from which it will hang.
Cover the harness with another layer of papier-mâché.
5- Let it dry. (I will add the star points and tassels later- check back for photos and instructions!)
When Juan Diego saw Mary, he also found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, blooming in December on the normally barren hilltop. Because of that miracle, roses are a traditional decoration on this day.I made paper roses (seen above with the candle), following the tutorial here.
3. Make a piñata for Las Posadas:
Las Posadas is one really cool Mexican Christmas tradition; it's a series of nightly processions and parties that begin on December 16th and continue until Christmas Eve. (I'll post more about it later.)
Each night of las Posada the party-goers break a piñata. I decided to make a trditional star piñata to share at my Friends Meeting Christmas party on December 17th; they take at least a week to dry, so I started today.
1- Tear up all your strips- make large piles of both newspaper and plain newsprint.
2- Make papier-mâché paste in a fairly shallow bowl: Start with 1-1/2 c. white flour and add water, stirring with a wisk, until you have a smooth and fairly thick paste. (I used to make a cooked paste, but this simpler one dries more firmly.)
3- Blow up the balloon and set it in a nest of towels or inside a large bowl to keep it from rolling around.
4- Cover the entire balloon with four layers of papier-mâché. I keep track of layers by alternating newspaper and plain newsprint.
 |
| The 2nd layer: Plain newsprint going over newspaper. |
You will need to make another batch of paste- probably another cup of flour will be enough.4- Tie a harness of strong string around the balloon, from which it will hang.
Cover the harness with another layer of papier-mâché.
No comments:
Post a Comment