Growing up in a traditional household, we always kept our Christmas tradition similar to my parents’ when they were in Mexico. Christmas Eve was our day for celebration, food ... lots of food ... like multiple rounds of food, and gifts.

Our main dish could be anything from tamales, posole soup, frijoles charros (a cowboy bean soup), mole with chicken, tostadas of various meats, or various tacos. Sides could consist of arroz (rice), guacamole, mashed beans, various salsas, and various veggies. For drinks, we would have a variety, which can include ponche (a sweet fruity Mexican punch), atole, champurrado, jamaica (hibiscus), or horchata.

The celebration, well we celebrated most importantly the birth of baby Jesus; he was always at the center of our night. Our family gets together around early evening to start the cooking, meanwhile, all us kids play or watch Christmas movies.

As the evening starts and more family arrives the Christmas tree begins to overflow with gifts. The moms were always busy cooking; the dads were talking and "supervising" the kids as drinks begin to flow; and of course, the children are playing with all the siblings and cousins all around the house.

Sometime around 8-10 p.m., the first round of food is ready so we sit down to eat. We always took a moment to talk about how fortunate we are to share that night with family, a table full of food, in a warm safe home, unlike the holy family all those years ago.

Afterward, shortly before midnight, we celebrate the birth of Jesus by rocking a porcelain baby Jesus doll singing and praying to him. The eldest children got to hold the blanket where they would rock Jesus, so it was a big deal to be chosen to do it in our family. After finishing the singing and praying they pass baby Jesus around so we can give him a kiss and take a candy as a symbol to celebrate his birth.

After we finish with the core of what Christmas is about the children are allowed to open their gifts! As the floor is consumed with wrapping paper and toys, the adults have spiked ponche and another round of food as they enjoy watching the children. As the mess is cleared, the music becomes louder and the dancing commences.

After a few hours of dancing, we finish off the night with sweet bread or sweet tamales, and the adults have coffee. With a fridge stuffed like Tetris, the family leaves well past midnight. After the children are sent to bed, a few gifts are placed under the tree for the kids to wake up to so they can relate to their classmates regarding Santa Claus.

On Christmas, all the family arrives for leftovers for lunch. After hours of various rounds of food, drinks, and more hours of play, our Christmas celebration officially ends.

Jessica Noffsinger is the administrative assistant in Mendoza's Office of Undergraduate Studies.