How are Christmas parties celebrated in Mexico?
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(CNN Spanish) -
The Guadalupe-Reyes marathon has already started, that period of holidays that begins on December 12 and ends on January 6.
These are days when Mexicans take advantage of the end of the year parties, posadas, exchanges, Christmas and New Year dinners to indulge in excess food and drink.
If you are not Mexican, here we will tell you what it is about.
Everything begins on December 12 with the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the pilgrimages.
In fact, the term "Guadalupe-Reyes" began to be used at the end of the 20th century to refer to the security operations that have been implemented since then in the streets of Mexico City, when pilgrims arrive at the Basilica, and spread until the purchases of Día de Reyes, on January 6.
As if it were a real race, there are those who believe that for this marathon of festivities you need the condition to drink, dance and eat.
The culinary variety is wide: from cod, turkey and fruit punch to rosca de reyes and tamales.
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Virgin's Day
In addition to its religious character, this day for many Mexicans marks the starting signal for the end of the year festivities.
After the masses and rosaries, there is no shortage of tamales, atole and perhaps a premature punch "with piquete" (that is, with a touch of alcohol, mainly tequila or mezcal).
Inns
The posadas are the perfect excuse to get together to sing and, of course, to eat and drink.
From December 16 to 24, these festivals recreate the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
The families go to other houses to ask for a lodging, singing a litany to which the hosts respond and receive them with food and drink.
Buñuelos, tamales and the traditional fruit punch "with piquet" are offered.
The tradition also includes breaking the piñata with 7 spikes (in reference to the deadly sins) filled with sweets and fruit.
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Good night
For the family dinner on December 24, the food feast gets more elaborate.
Turkey, cod, romeritos, salads, tenderloin and endless dishes according to the region and family tradition.
Christmas
On December 25, Christmas is celebrated with the famous reheating, that is, the food that was left over from the previous day is heated.
This day the gifts are also opened as a family.
New Year
The New Year's party is celebrated between December 31 and January 1 with a table similar to Christmas, but this time also with grapes and a glass of cider or sparkling wine to celebrate the arrival of the next year.
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Three Kings Day
On January 6, the Three Kings Day is celebrated with gifts and the departure of the rosca, a traditional bread that looks like a crown and usually has a sugar coating.
It is decorated with strips of ate, figs and candied cherries.
Inside a child hides.
Candlemas day
Although the "Guadalupe-Reyes" ends in January, some people extend it until February 2, Candlemas Day.
This day it is customary that, who took the hidden child out of the rosca de reyes, brought the tamales to the office or offered his house as a pretext to meet, and again, eat and drink.
New Years Day of the Kings Christmas Virgin of Guadalupe