Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas time is here! How do you celebrate?

As we make family plans and I sculpt Holiday Gifts and Christmas items, I wonder: "How do you celebrate the Merriest of Seasons?" 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayCat
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayCat
Clara & Nutcracker (made to order)

After 12 years in the USA, I have come to love, admire and respect this wonderful country, and I love how after Thanksgiving the whole country turns into the Holiday spirit! ...Yes, I must confess, I also love the sales and all the shopping of the season :D

Pier 39, San Francisco, California

However, Christmas time in my home, has to be Venezuelan style! :) with traditions from my childhood, I hope to teach my daughters about my country and my culture. My Venezuela (the one I grew up in) was once a very nice country, filled with laughter and happy, wonderful people.


We celebrate Baby Jesus Birthday and prepare our homes to welcome Him on Christmas eve.  In most Venezuelan homes you will find a Christmas Manger.


http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayCat

Our holiday menu consists of Hallacas, Pan de Jamon, chicken salad and Pernil! We also have turkey, Pineaple Ham, Panettone and even Apfelstrudel, yes, our menu is as rich as all the wonderful immigrants who made Venezuela their home and shared their culture.

     Hallaca           Pan de Jamon (Ham Bread)       Venezuelan Holiday Meal

Music is a very important part of our tradition. The sounds of gaitas and aguinaldos make my heart beat to the rhythms of sweet memories of my beautiful country.

 





All this mixed in with family and friends is an unbeatable way to make Christmas the best time of the year! :)

I hope and wish your Christmas Season is filled with Love and Peace.

a very small part of my family celebrating Christmas in Fl.

Feliz Navidad!
xoxo
Adri

7 comments:

  1. Muy lindas tus fotos! Nosotros también celebramos con la familia, con mucha comida rica y regalitos hecho a mano. Saludos desde Virginia! :)

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  2. I think traditions are the most important part of holidays. I love the post, and I feel exactly the same about christmas, I always tell my kids it is the time to receive God in our hearts and I also love to cook traditional food of my country to keep them close to Bolivia.

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  3. Qué preciosidad! Y lo más importante es que se sigan con las bonitas tradiciones.

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  4. Tod hermosisimo! En mi familia tambien celebramos al estilo colombiano todo Diciembre, especialmente el dia 24, pero el 25 si es al estilo estadounidense. Brunch tradicional con la familia y estamos reunidos celebrando todo el dia. Muy lindo tu post.
    Saludos desde California!

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  5. Hermosas cerámicas, arte y fotos, me encanto el Nacimiento! Realmente me envolviste en el Espíritu Navideño!

    Namaste!
    http://mamiholisticaygenial.blogspot.com/2011/12/sorteo-de-productos-hersheys-party.html

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  6. Feliz Navidad! Espero que tengas unos dias llenos de mucha elegria junto a los tuyos.
    Un abrazo

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  7. Me erizó la piel!!! Definitivamente la identidad nacional no se pierde. Yo acá en México, no dejo de poner mis gaitas, mis aguinaldos ni de comer mis hallacas, asado negro etc! Desde ya muy feliz navidad y que Dios te siga bendiciendo con un hogar alegre!

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