Mexican Hot Chocolate Desserts

We could write a post about Mexican hot chocolate recipes–but that would be too predictable. So we have recipes for Mexican hot chocolate desserts instead that are perfect for any Christmas or holiday celebration:

1. Mexican Hot Cocoa Popcorn recipe by Baker By Nature:

2. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcake recipe by Dixie Crystals:

3. Mexican Hot Chocolate cookie recipe by Butterlust:

4. Mexican Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat recipe by Mallow and Co:

5. Mexican Hot Chocolate Donut recipe from Monday Morning Donut:

Britt's Picks: Illustration of "Nine Days to Christmas"

I have not yet read all of "Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico", but from what I have seen of this 1950s children's book, the illustration is just lovely! The story tells of a girl celebrating Las Posadas around Christmas time, and the book one an award for its illustration when it was published.

Here are a few pages from the book:

Images found here.

Tamales for Christmas

Tamales, a delicious Mexican staple food, are created from corn dough and filled with various meats and other fillings, and differ in how they are made throughout Mexico. In Oaxaca and tropical areas of Mexico, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves, and in other parts of Mexico they are wrapped in corn husks. But no matter where or how they are made, tamales are a beloved food associated with family gatherings and special occasions.

One of those special occasions is Christmas, so we've found some recipes for a few different types of tamales for you and your family to create together (the traditional way to make them!):

1. Tamale recipe for pork or beef by Delicious Days

2. Tamales dulces recipe by Desde la Cocina

3. Banana leaf tamale recipe by Joe Pastry

Image found here.

DIY: Holiday Giftwrap

If you feel like getting crafty with your Christmas gifts this year, we have a DIY for you–we've created our own holiday wrapping paper that can also be used for other occasions:

What you'll need:

-colorful acrylic paints (they dry quickest)
-brown butcher paper
-plastic stencil sheets (you can buy it in small sheets at Michaels)
-paintbrushes
-X-acto knife

What to do:

1. Draw your design on to your plastic stencil sheet with a pen (if you mess up, you can simply wipe off the pen with a wet paper towel).
2. Cut out the shape with an X-acto knife.

3. Lay out your butcher paper on a large flat surface.
4. Place your newly created stencil onto the butcher paper and begin painting inside the stencil. (We created Otomi stencils and used several different colors inside some figures, and a single color for others.)

5. Lift your stencil off of the butcher paper when you're done with your design and move on to the next.
6. Clean excess paint from your stencils (i.e. paint that has built up around the edges from using them over and over again) as you go.

Stocking Stuffers at Casa Artelexia: Under $50

Stocking Stuffers under $50:
1. Alebrije Pig (and many other alebrijes under $50 that would make great stuffers!):

2. Wooden Milagro Flaming Heart:

3. Mini Rose Alpaca Box:

4. Wool Purse:

5. Beaded Bracelet with a wooden latch:

Stocking Stuffers at Casa Artelexia: Under $30

1. Catrina Box:

2. Rose Alpaca Bracelet:

3. Painted Clay Heart:

4. Small Otomi Embroidered Square:

5. Frida Kahlo Cuff Bracelet:

Holiday Watercolors (and More) by Ana Victoria Calderon

Mexico City based watercolor artist Ana Victoria Calderon creates beautiful, bright paintings full of delicate hand lettering and nature inspired motifs. She even has a few holiday themed paintings that we've shared with you below (and more!):

Stocking Stuffers at Casa Artelexia: Under $20

1.  Mini Barro Negro Pot:

2. Colorful Skull Bracelet:

3. Small Zapotec Pouch

4. Mexican Doll:

5. Mini Alebrijes:

A Recipe for Homemade Ponche

Ponche, a delicous Mexican hot fruit punch, is always synonymous with the holidays–and though I've never actually made it myself, I've watched year after year as my mom prepares it around Christmastime. I did, however, get the recipe to make it from her, so you all can try your hand at making ponche:

What you'll need:

-1 1/2 gallons of water
-1 pound of tejocotes (small fruits that you can find at a Mexican grocery store)
-1 pound guavas
-6-8 cinnamon sticks
-2 piloncillos (a special compacted brown sugar you can find at a Mexican grocery store)
-1 small bag of tamarindo
-1 pound of sugar cane

What to Do:

1. Add the 1 1/2 gallons of water to a pot.
2. Chop the tejocotes and guavas in small pieces, and peel the tamarindo.
3. Add the chopped tejocotes, guavas, and peeled tamarindo to the pot, along with the 2 piloncillos and 1 pound of sugar cane.
4. Boil for 45 minutes to an hour.

Image found here.

Stocking Stuffers at Casa Artelexia: Under $10

There are plenty of goodies here at Casa Artelexia that would make for great stocking stuffers. We'll be sharing some of those with you on the blog before Christmas rolls around, in various categories. So if you're scrambling to find some affordable and unique gifts, look no further! Here are just a few stocking stuffers under $10 that you can purchase at our store:

1. Loteria Game Pack:

2. Mini Day of the Dead Notebook (we also have Frida, Virgen de Guadalupe, and more):

3. Chiapas Coin Purse:

 4. Small Catrina Candle (also comes in Luchador, Virgen de Guadalupe, Sacred Heart, and more):

 5. Mini Clay Pig (and other animals):

Mini Pinata Ornament Workshop

Join us for our holiday pinata ornament workshops (back by popular demand) on any of the following days to make your very own piñata ornaments!

Dec. 12th, 6-8pm $20 (wine included!) 
Dec. 14th, 12-2pm $20 (hot chocolate & pan dulce!)

Your unique, handmade ornaments will make for wonderful holiday gifts for teachers, neighbors, etc., party favors,  hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, tabletop and Christmas tree decorations, and more! Each class includes 4 ornaments and a special treat!

Choose from holiday shapes such as:

Santa
Christmas Stocking
Tree
Wreath
Tradional Ornament
Gift Box
Star
Heart
Penguin
Polar Bear
Snow Globe
Gift Tag
Poinsettia
Holly
Candy Cane
Mitten

YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND (619.544.1011 or artelexiaevents@gmail.com)

Festive Folk Art Christmas Trees

Many of you have probably bought your Christmas trees already, but in case you haven't or need some unique tree decorating ideas, we've rounded up a few Christmas trees inspired by Mexican folk art and the like:

1. A bright Otomi inspired Christmas tree display by Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things and artist Sue-Ching Lascelles:

2. Christmas trees full of tin, felt, and Day of the Dead ornaments, colorful paper mache hearts, and paper flowers (all available for purchase) here at Casa Artelexia:

3. Color gradient Christmas tree with an Otomi inspired tree skirt by Inspired by Charm:

4.Day of the Dead Christmas tree by Peachy Cheek:

5. Folksy Christmas Tree by The Book of Jimmy:

6.White Christmas Tree with Sombreros by Suzanne on Style: