Recently my oldest son (sixth grade) had a presentation due for his Social Studies/World Cultures class that involved an in-depth look at his Hispanic traditions and culture. He got a majority of it done on his own (and I must say I was impressed), but did need some help on the last few slides. Helping him think of Hispanic traditions that we have in our community (that maybe his peers don’t) got me thinking that I really should point these things out more often so that he and his brothers know just how important it is that these Hispanic traditions are recognized, celebrated, and something to be proud of. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), I wanted to share what we celebrate in our Hispanic community every month:

FOOD, FUN, & CELEBRATIONS

Pan Dulce y Tamales

I’m known to splurge for birthdays and “surprise” my kids with a delicious donut tower cake. But one tradition that they have come to enjoy, probably because it happens most frequently, is eating “pan dulce” (sweet bread) on Sunday mornings with their grandparents. I will occasionally get a craving for my favorite: “empanada de calabaza” (pumpkin turnover) and find the closest “panadería” (bakery) in Collin County to satisfy my sweet tooth.  

Another family tradition that is loved by every single person in my family happens around Christmastime. I didn’t realize how special it was until one day my five-year-old son came home from school and mentioned that his friends don’t bring tamales in their lunch boxes for lunch time. It prompted me to talk to him about how when I was little, I would help my mom and grandma make tamales, that it’s something that is so ingrained into who we are. I love that it’s part of our culture, because, let’s face it, I love food, and homemade tamales are so delicious. 

My kids have watched how my mom works diligently when “tamales season” is upon us (in early December). Tamales are a staple in our home for pretty much the entire month. And so convenient, too; they’re a meal you can have as breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Although I’ve only attempted to make them from scratch once (semi-successfully), it’s one tradition I intend to keep around as my children get older. They all love to help, so I can totally see an assembly line going when it’s time to make them! 

Mariachis y Lotería

We were celebrating my mom’s birthday at a family-favorite spot in Dallas, La Calle Doce, when all of a sudden, the mariachi group began to serenade her with “Las Mañanitas” (a traditional Mexican birthday song). My kids were not phased by the singing going on table-side, which warmed my heart! They know mariachis are a part of their culture. They see it when we go to weddings, quinceañeras, and some birthday celebrations. The best part is when the mariachi group decides to belt out an upbeat tune and make it interactive—three words: “El Mariachi Loco!” We’ve watched the video from our wedding with our kids where my husband and I dance along to that song and it’s one tradition I’ve loved embracing with them.

Sometimes we play BINGO, sometimes we play Lotería! I love telling my kids that they have choices with everything. They can make good choices or they can make questionable choices that have consequences. But one thing they have loved choosing is game time- BINGO or Lotería, or BOTH?! I’ll admit that I haven’t been the most diligent parent in teaching my kids to speak Spanish. I like to say that we have a robust understanding of “Spanglish” at home. But playing Lotería with my family gives us the opportunity to incorporate some vocabulary words that can be very beneficial in their bilingual development (or so I tell myself that!).  

Día de Los Muertos y Piñatas

The 2017 Disney Pixar movie, Coco, has easily been viewed in our home at least 25 times. Sometimes it was there just as a soundtrack, but whatever the case, it brought to light something that we celebrate every year around Halloween: “El Día de Los Muertos” (the Day of the Dead). We may not set up “ofrendas” (offerings) like they do in the movie but it does give our family a chance to look through old photos of our ancestors so that those traditions are not lost on the next generation.  

Celebrating with a piñata at kids’ birthday parties is a tradition my kids are 100% eager to partake in. They understand that not all parties will have this custom; it’s part of their Hispanic culture, and when they were smaller, it was something that we had to explain when they were left wondering when the piñata was coming out. But to see them chomping at the bit, hoping the piñata wasn’t broken by the time they were up to bat was something that made me smile from ear to ear. It’s these traditions that I don’t want them to ever take for granted. I want them to know that as simple and fun as it may be, such as hitting a piñata or eating tamales, it really is something meaningful in the makeup of who we are: Hispanic, and so very proud of it.