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Stuffed turkey, cod, romeritos, and gifts! If this sounds like the perfect Christmas kit but you don’t know why these dishes are prepared and the real symbol of giving gifts, we’ll tell you everything in detail.

Although each country celebrates Christmas with different dishes, everywhere it shares the same meaning: love, joy, and happiness.

1. Christmas Dinner

Among the typical dishes for the Christmas Eve celebration are cod, romeritos, stuffed turkey, pork leg, marinated loin, apple salad, pozole, tamales, and countless desserts like rice pudding. Some families also prepare punch, champurrado, or atole in different flavors.

Tradition dictates that the most important thing is not the food but the time spent with loved ones. Different foods are cooked depending on the country; for example, in the United States, turkey is a must-have main dish; in Argentina, salads and vitel toné are made. As for desserts, in Spain, buñuelos are popular, while in Colombia and Italy, turrón is common.

Here’s where some of the most cooked dishes in Mexico come from:

Cod. In addition to being prepared at Christmas, this dish from Veracruz is also served during Holy Week due to fasting.

Stuffed turkey. Although it is not a traditionally Mexican dish, we have managed to give it a national touch by adding ground beef, vegetables, raisins, and almonds.

Romeritos. This dish originates from Mexico City; it is said to have been favored by the Aztecs due to the high nutritional content of the quelites, mole, and nopales. In addition to being prepared at Christmas, it is also traditional during Holy Week.

Atole. A drink of Aztec origin, atole is consumed especially during winter as its texture and temperature are ideal to accompany other traditional dishes like tamales.

Champurrado. The perfect drink to accompany dessert. Champurrado is a corn atole to which piloncillo, dark chocolate, water, and a touch of vanilla are added. It must be boiled to achieve the right texture. This drink comes from the Aztecs and is delicious.

Cider. This drink is obtained through the fermentation of apple juice. There is evidence that cider was consumed by Greeks, Egyptians, and Hebrews. Mexico inherited the tradition from the Spanish, and to this day it is produced in Huejotzingo and Zacatlán de las Manzanas in Puebla.

2. The Christmas Tree and Other Details

Decoration and symbolism are a must during this time of year. It is also a perfect moment for us to engage in some crafts with our loved ones. One of the most important elements is the Christmas tree, which is decorated with various ornaments and spheres in red, white, and gold. Another Christmas essential is the Advent wreath, which has 4 candles to symbolize the four weeks leading up to December 25th.

3. The Nativity Scene

Some sources claim that the first nativity scene was made in the year 345, in a tomb in Lateran during the Christian Era, but the custom of making nativity scenes was an initiative of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy in 1223, who insisted that this activity be part of Christmas traditions. The friars spread this custom in Mexico, and from the 15th century, the activity became widespread around the world.

4. Gifts

The custom of giving gifts at Christmas represents the act of giving and receiving. It is the most anticipated and special moment for many during the holiday. Is it yours too?

For this Christmas, set your table with this quick guide: