A Crespo Organic Christmas
This holiday season, Crespo Organic Mangoes invites you to celebrate Christmas with a Mexican mango twist through our 24 Days of #MangoJoy Advent Calendar. Each day reveals a new door to discovery, where the Crespo Organic Kitchen shares its signature Mango-Higher Ed, along with mango-inspired holiday recipes and mango-centric gift ideas—all highlighting the natural sweetness and sunshine of mangoes and the rich cultural landscape they hails from. Our calendar offers a journey into the rich history of the Crespo family, traditional Mexican Christmas customs, and mango fun facts……. from orchard to table, as is our style (and expertise!)
Rooted in the religious tradition of Advent, our 24 Days of #MangoJoy Advent Calendar embodies the spirit of anticipation and reflection, celebrating not only the essence of Christmas but also the vibrant Mexican culture that is at our brands roots.
For 24 days, we’ll bring the spirit of Christmas to your inbox and social media channels, infused with the vibrant essence of the Mexican culture from which our mangoes originate. As we count down the days together, we hope each seasonal moment and every door opened brings us closer to each other, from orchard to table, celebrating the richness of family, culture, and faith—wrapped in the tropical beauty of #MangoJoy.
Christmas in Mexico, or La Navidad, is a deeply spiritual and festive celebration rooted in Catholic traditions, enriched by indigenous customs, and centered around family gatherings. One of the most cherished customs is Las Posadas, a series of nightly processions from December 16th to the 24th that re-enact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Neighbors take turns hosting these gatherings, where participants carry candles, sing traditional carols, and sometimes feature elaborate nacimientos (Nativity scenes). Each procession ends with prayers, a shared feast, and the joyous breaking of a piñata for children. The joy continues into performances of Pastorelas, theatrical reenactments of the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem, often filled with humor, drama, and lively community participation.
December 12th marks the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a deeply significant tradition that begins the Christmas season in Mexico. Honoring the Virgin Mary’s 1531 apparition to Juan Diego, this day is celebrated with vibrant pilgrimages, elaborate masses, and joyous festivities throughout the country. Many faithful make their way to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, offering flowers, prayers, and songs in devotion. The Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, represents both spiritual guidance and national identity, blending Catholic and indigenous traditions. This celebration sets the tone for the holiday season, emphasizing faith, unity, and gratitude.
The heart of Mexican Christmas celebrations is Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve. Families gather for a festive late-night meal, often featuring traditional dishes like tamales, bacalao (salted cod), romeritos (a dish of wild greens), Ensalada de Nochebuena (a vibrant salad with pomegranate seeds, beets, and pineapple), and ponche navideño (a warm spiced fruit punch made with tejocotes, guavas, and apples). The evening culminates in Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster), a midnight service named for the legend that a rooster crowed at the birth of Christ. Afterward, families return home to exchange gifts and enjoy the warmth of their loved ones.
While Santa Claus has gradually become a part of Mexican Christmas celebrations, blending with the country’s traditional customs, many families still reserve gift-giving for Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) on January 6th. This day is marked by the cutting of Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread), a sweet, wreath-shaped pastry hiding small figurines of baby Jesus. Those who find a figurine host a celebration on Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas) on February 2nd, extending the festive spirit well beyond Christmas.
Mexican Christmas traditions also include acts of giving back. Many families and churches engage in charitable work during the holiday season, preparing meals or gifts for those in need, reflecting the spirit of community and compassion. Additionally, on December 28th, Mexicans celebrate Los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Holy Innocents), a playful day filled with lighthearted pranks akin to April Fool’s Day.
All of these traditions reflect the enduring spirit of community and celebration in Mexico. The holidays are filled with joy, something we can truly relate to, and which captures the essence of #MangoJoy—the Mexican passion and ability to embrace joy in the everyday. Whether through shared meals, heartfelt prayers, or joyful gatherings, the Christmas season offers a unique blend of spiritual devotion and festive cheer. It’s a time to honor the past while creating cherished memories that connect generations in the warmth of family and faith.
Join us for the next 24 days, 24 Days of #MangoJoy to be exact, as we sprinkle a little of our mango magic into your holidays, making your countdown to Christmas educational as well as bright and joyful— this is what we call – A Crespo Organic Christmas.
Happy Holidays!
No Comments