In Mexico, Santa Claus is commonly called Santa Claus (pronounced Santa Clós) due to strong U.S. cultural influence, but he is also known as Papá Noel (Father Christmas) or simply Santa, with some traditional beliefs still involving the Niño Dios (Baby Jesus) bringing gifts.
Spanish: Papa Noel (lit.
While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).
Santa Claus and Mexican Christmas traditions
Traditionally, in Mexico, children don't receive presents from Santa Claus. However, his popularity is growing in Mexican Christmas celebrations. Because of this, some children will receive gifts on 24 December – or Christmas Eve – as well as on 6 January for Dia de Reyes.
Papá Noel is the most common name in Spain for Santa Claus. It is inspired by the French Père Noël and is the most common way to call him throughout the country.
Pancho Claus is sometimes referred to as a "Tex-Mex" version of Santa. Growing out of the Hispanic civil rights movement of the 1970s, the Pancho Claus tradition incorporates a strong element of charity, with gift-giving and events run for the benefit of disadvantaged children.
The literal meaning of the Spanish word Navidad is "birth," derived from the Latin nativitas, referring specifically to the birth of Jesus Christ, which is why it means "Christmas" (the celebration of Christ's birth) in Spanish. So, "Feliz Navidad" literally means "Happy Birth," but is universally understood as "Merry Christmas".
Nochebuena is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. In many Latin American and Spanish- adjacent cultures, it is often the biggest celebration of the Christmas season. Nochebuena (literally "the Good Night") is the Spanish word for Christmas Eve. Some regions include a fasting before midnight dinner.
Then, on the 25th, they celebrate La Recalentada, another family gathering where they enjoy the leftover food from the previous day. Another unique Mexican tradition is the preparation of Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread), a round-shaped bread with great significance: it symbolizes God's eternal love.
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
This is one of the biggest Christmas traditions in Mexico and serves as the main holiday meal. Held on the evening of December 24th, families gather for a late-night feast featuring traditional dishes like tamales, bacalao (salted cod), and ponche (fruit punch), followed by gift exchanges.
Christmas goes by many names in Mexico, and that's because there are so many celebrations throughout the season. You may hear las Posadas, la Nochebuena, and el Día de los Tres Reyes, among them. The real name for Christmas, though, is la Navidad.
QUICK ANSWER. "San" is an adjective which is often translated as "Saint", and "santo" is an adjective which is often translated as "holy".
Over the years, this evolved into the more familiar “Kris Kringle.” Kris Kringle has morphed into another name for Santa himself. Whatever you may call him, he remains the same jolly, short, old, fat man with a long white beard, with a fur-lined red suit.
Each year between December 24 and January 6, Spain comes alive to celebrate Christmas, or Navidad in Spanish. During this time of the year, everyone strives to fill their days with happiness, joy, and family harmony, although some are more successful than others.
How do Mexicans say "merry Christmas"? Mexicans say "Feliz Navidad" just like most Spanish speakers. You might also hear "Felices Fiestas" or "Feliz Noche Buena" on Christmas Eve.
Santa Muerte is associated with protection from physical harm, enemies, and bad luck. She can also be used to represent justice, especially when people feel as though the traditional justice system has failed them or their family.
Dia de la Independencia or Anniversario de la Independencia, September 16, commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain and is the most important patriotic statutory holiday. Parades are held and many schools are closed.
These countries don't celebrate Christmas: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Comoros, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, ...
December 12th known as Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. This Catholic holiday honors the Virgin Mary, Mexico's patron saint, and is a significant day for Mexican culture and faith. The celebration commemorates the Virgin Mary's appearance to Juan Diego, an indigenous peasant, in 1531.
10 Fun Facts About Christmas in Mexico
We visit some family one Eve, others on Day. Opening gifts at midnight is a Mexican American tradition.
It's called Noche Buena, or originally, Cuetlaxochitl by the native people of Mexico; Poinsettia is the name given in the USA thanks to the US embassador in Mexico Joel Roberts Poinsett who took it over there in the 1820's.
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Greeting the non-Muslims on Christmas and other religious holidays of theirs is prohibited by consensus.
Derived from the word feliz, it means “lucky,” “fortunate,” or “happy.” It's also a name you'll find in many Spanish greetings, like Feliz Navidad for the Christmas season or Feliz cumpleaños if you're blowing out the birthday candles.
The Scriptures neither command nor forbid the celebration of Christmas. Christians should celebrate and remember the Lord and what He has done for us, including His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection every day, including Christmas.