American Family Traditions

When Winter Holidays Clash
Our family traditions celebrate holidays similar to the Christkindlmarket, however there are different customs. The Mexican culture preserves the meaning of their holidays through celebrations and traditions, for example Posadas, nine days of festivities leading up to Christmas. As for the ChristKindl market, the home made glass ornaments and decorations show why German culture is unique from the rest.
This year, the Christkind started off the grand opening ceremony by reciting the prologue in English to welcome visitors to the Christkindlmarket. The Christkindlmarket is a festive meeting place for people. Vendors from Germany bring and sell homemade Christmas ornaments, decorations, and gifts. Traditional German handcraft at the market included hand carved nutcrackers, wooden smokers, wooden figures, cuckoo clocks, and blown glass ornaments. The overall feel of the Christkindlmarket was convivial, reason being it’s a new experience for most Chicagoans. he aroma of caramel popcorn made the people feel like home.

As for the family traditions, many of the traditions are brought from Mexico to the US.

Christkindl differs from family traditions when it comes to “Posadas.” the nine days of Posadas lead up to Christmas Eve. A Posada is the reenactment of the pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph in search of hospitality. From December 16 through December 24, families host a Posada party. In each party Piñatas are broken, the reason being that the pinata contains seven points, each represent the seven deadly sins that need to be destroyed by the ‘sinner’ who is blindfolded. Breaking the pinata destroys the sin and bestows the person with ‘blessing’ (Candy). January fifth, that is the day the Three Kings arrive to Bethlehem and traditionally that's when kids receive their gifts, but with growing international influences kids often receive gifts on both Christmas day and the day of the Three

Kings.
Despite the differences we share something in common, both celebrate Advent. Advent is the Traditional Time leading up to Christmas. In both traditions a candle is lit up; each candle represents the weeks until Christmas. When it comes to family holiday tradition and the Christkindlmarket they value tradition. Much like any Mexican family when they came to the US they also bought their cultural values and their beliefs, in which is still celebrated.As goes for the Christkindlmarket, many people came and brought something with them which is: food recipies, handmade crafts and glass ornaments.
Christmas is celebrated in different ways and different cultures. Mexican culture here in the US still celebrates festivities like Posadas similar to Mexico. The Christkindlmarket has brought a different aspect of how the Holidays are celebrated. Nevertheless they both bring joy to the people.