Christmas is a traditional holiday that is celebrated worldwide on the 25th of December. However; “the ranch” in Mexico does Christmas differently than most countries, and feels unlike how it does in America. The ranch in Mexico is considered to be the top part of Mexico in Neveo Leon. Nuveo Leon is situated on the border of Mexico and the United States. It is famous for adventure sports including rock climbing and rappelling. Inside of Nuveo Leon a few ranches or very small towns surround each other. Some of those ranches in Nuevo Leon are San Benito, Garza Gonzalez, Oriente, El Peine, and Los Ramones. 

Christmas in those ranches is a lot different than in Alliance. One of the differences is the temperature. The temperature in Mexico is sunny and hot, but in Alliance it is snowy and very cold. The weather difference affects the mood of a lot of people. In Alliance, since it is cold and cloudy many people may feel slouchy and not motivated, but in the ranches, since it is sunny and hot many people may feel motivated to ride around all day on four wheelers around these small towns. 

Another difference is that many families do not set up a Christmas tree with presents under it. I believe this brings out the real meaning of Christmas. While we have no Christmas gifts, we have lots of food. Some of the food options are Tamales, Mashed Potatoes, Rice, and Carne Asada. Carne Asada is “(in Mexican cooking) beef that has been marinated and grilled, typically served sliced in thin strips as a main course or as a filling in tacos, burritos, etc,” as stated on Google. 

One final difference is that families live together in one household. For example, my family lives together in my grandma’s house. My aunt Monica and her family live in one big room. My aunt Esmeralda and her family live in another big room, and my family also lives in a third big room. These rooms have a dresser, a closet, and two queen size beds. 

The thing I like about Christmas day is that everyone wakes up and treats that day no differently than other day of Christmas break. Everyone spending their break in Mexico knows that they only go there once a year and riding four wheelers until 3A.M through rivers with a whole gang beside you is the best part. You have unlimited trees with oranges in every backyard, and your living your best life during this vacation with your best friends and cousins. This vacation is very valuable, because it only lasts two weeks. The wait always makes it worth it.