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.

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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