by Diego, age 9, asks how long Christmas is, about Mexico City, and pinatas
Dear Santa,
Hola from Guadalajara. My name is Diego and I am 9 years old. Here in Mexico we have Las Posadas, where we walk from house to house singing, and there is a pinata almost every night, so honestly I do not want Christmas to ever stop.
That is why my first question is: how long is Christmas, really?
My second question is geography: what is the capital of Mexico?
My third question is from school: what is a pinata and where did it come from?
I am leaving you tamales and hot chocolate. Watch out, the chocolate is spicy.
Love, Diego, age 9, Guadalajara, Mexico
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Diego, spicy hot chocolate is my favourite kind, and the tamales did not survive the first chimney. Thank you. Now to your questions.
How long is Christmas, really?
This is a wonderful question, because the answer depends on where you live. The traditional Twelve Days of Christmas run from the 25th of December all the way to the 6th of January, which is called Epiphany or Three Kings Day. But in Mexico you get an even longer celebration, because Las Posadas begin on the 16th of December, so your festivities stretch across nearly three whole weeks. Some countries begin even earlier with Advent. So while Christmas Day itself is one day, the season of Christmas is really quite generous, and I think that is a lovely thing.
What is the capital of Mexico?
The capital of Mexico is Mexico City. It is one of the largest cities in the entire world, home to many millions of people, and it sits high up on a plateau surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Long ago it was built upon the site of a great Aztec city called Tenochtitlan, so beneath the modern streets lies a very ancient history indeed.
What is a pinata and where did it come from?
A pinata is a colourful container, often shaped like a star, that is filled with sweets and hung up to be broken open with a stick, usually by a blindfolded and very excited child. The idea travelled a long way to reach Mexico. Similar customs existed in Asia and in Europe hundreds of years ago, and when they arrived in Mexico they blended with local traditions to become the joyful pinata you know today. The seven-pointed star shape even carries a little meaning of its own.
Enjoy every single one of those three weeks, and I shall see you on the big night.
Ho ho ho, Santa
