Christmas in Zihuatanejo is very festive, fun and colorful. For me it begins when the poinsettia mart opens.
There are colored lights and traditional Christmas music is played, but frequently translated into Spanish. Folks put up and decorate trees, but always artificial. And the big stores start pushing Christmas far too early but we only have 3 or 4 of them so it is not too obnoxious.
The city of Zihuatanejo decorates the pedestrian areas with beautiful decorations and glittering lights. They decorate for every season and holiday, but Christmas is spectacular.
The Christmas parade is spectacular, there is nothing more festive than a Mexican parade. There are floats galore and every spectacular float is followed by a troupe of 20-40 dancers who perform their intricate patterns throughout the parade route. It’s like the entire town has turned out for this spectacle and if you aren’t watching the parade you are in it.
There are parties and gathering of friends and families beginning in days before Christmas making it a fun and festive season.
Christmas Eve is the main Celebration,a time for families gather from near and far to celebrate together over a festive dinner. Many local restaurants cater to the local gringo population and do their best to do the traditional turkey dinners.
After an open house with friends on Christmas Eve I came home around nine to hear my neighbors across the alley celebrating together. The alley is lit with festive lights and streamers and all were having a good time. After going to bed early I woke up a 2 hearing music and people laughing. I got up to take a peek and sure enough the party was going full swing with live musicians and tables now in the alley and many folks enjoying them selves. When I finally got up at 5:30 the party was still on, but quieting down. And shortly there after all were gone. Mexican folks have great stamina for parties!
Following Christmas I got to celebrate Boxing Day with my many Canadian friends at a lovely garden party.
December 30 was a piñata party for children, especially for the working children of Zihuatanejo, but all were welcome.
We volunteers had stuffed several Piñatas with small toys and candy and then the fun began.
We assembled candy bags, and baggies of hair accessories for girls, books, and other drawing and craft supplies, personal care products and small toys. There were socks, some shoes. Lots of goodies donated by the kind folks who vacation and live here. We gave each child a large bag and supervised their filling it.
A great party sponsored by Kitsap Writers and Libro’s por la ninos.
Here is to a Happy New Year or Feliz ano nuevo. Signing off KO
Zihuatanejo 