THE REPORT

      After watching the segment on Christmas from the video “Fiestas Mexicanas,” you have a basic knowledge of how Latin Americans celebrate Navidad. But what about the events that lead up to Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve? It’s time for you to do some research to find out how Latin Americans prepare for Navidad. Your findings should be submitted in a 2-page report typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt font. It must be double spaced and include a reference page.

      Here are some prompts for your research paper:

• What LATIN AMERICAN country are you living in?
• What celebrations before Christmas take place in this country?
• How did these celebrations originate?
• How are these festivities planned and celebrated?
• When does the event take place?
• Where does the event take place?
• What is needed to carry out the festivities?
• How are you going to prepare for the stop at your house?
• What is the purpose or significance of each element of the festivities?
• Include any important vocabulary, including Noche Buena vs Navidad
• If you have participated in one before, include a personal account of your experience with this form of Christmas celebration.
• How is this event (parrandas/posadas) similar to or different from the customs of the United States?
• Why do you think Latin Americans choose to include this event in their traditional celebrations of Christmas?
• How do you feel about this manner of celebrating Christmas?
• How does this change your view of the meaning of Christmas?
• Include the details of the particular refreshment, craft or activity you are preparing for the class presentation (recipes, process, lyrics, etc.), as well as its significance.

     Here are some websites that will be helpful to you:

Las Posadas in Mexico:            http://www.mexconnect.com/MEX/austin/posadas.html

(brief overview)

Christmas in Mexico:                        http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/feature/xmasindex.html

(everything! – special attention to the article by Luis Dumois!)

Mexican Traditions for Christmas:            http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm

(all about Christmas, recipes in Spanish)

Atole:                                    http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/bebidasdrinks/r/atole.htm

(recipe)

MEXonline.com Celebrating Christmas in Mexico - Navidad en Mexico:  http://www.mexonline.com/christmas.htm

(posadas by region in Mexico)

A Puerto Rican Christmas: http://www.elboricua.com/pr_christmas.html

(overview of parrandas)

Latin America: Christmas, tradition, and culture: http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=11687

Christmas in Central America: Central American Christmas Customs:

http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-world/central-america.html

Christmas in South America: South American Christmas Customs:

http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-world/south-america.html

(posadas/parrandas in latin America)

Posadas: http://www.scu.edu/SCU/Programs/Diversity/posadas.html

(history and overview)

THE PRESENTATIONS

      Now that you’ve found information about this pre-Christmas celebration, it’s time for you to prepare the events that will occur when the group stops at your house. All class presentations will be given in the same day, in the manner of a posada or parranda. The first presenter will be chosen at random from a hat. After giving the presentation, the presenter will name the next house to be visited. The class will sing the song for entrance into this house, and then the next presentation will begin.

      As the presenter, you will refuse entrance in the appropriate manner according to the research, present a brief synopsis of your findings (include the name of your country, a fun fact about the celebration there, and your preparations), and name the next stop. At the last house, the presenter grants entrance, reports his/her findings, and the party begins.

      You must 1) know how to decline or invite the guests into your house, 2) summarize your findings and preparations, and 3) prepare a traditional refreshment, activity, or craft.

THE PARTY

      After permission is granted to enter the last house and the final presenter has finished presenting, the big party begins! The class as a whole will participate in the events planned and enjoy the refreshments and crafts provided by each presenter!