*This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Sears and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are 100% my own.
There is never one single moment when I don’t think in both Spanish and English when I am having a conversation. Being bilingual and a Latina is part of who I am with every fiber of my being. I can still recall the fond memories that I have of being a young girl in Spain and living with my grandparents. They were such an integral part of molding me into the person who I am today and even the kind of mother that I am to my children. As a result, it is extremely important to me to pass down some of the life lessons and cultural holiday traditions that I was taught when I was growing up.
In Spain, we always ate Paella on Christmas Eve. It is a seafood rice that contains shellfish and chicken and is cooked in a “paellera” which is a round, flat pan with two handles. I can still recall the delicious scents that would waft in from the kitchen and, since my father has carried on this tradition every Christmas here in the United States, it’s something that I still look forward to every Christmas. Although only one of my sons eats seafood, they both understand the significance of sharing this dish with their parents, grandparents, and extended family every holiday season.
Another favorite treat that we enjoy on Christmas Eve is Turrón. It is a type of Spanish confectionery resembling nougat that is made from almonds and honey. These days, they come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate and almonds, that always capture the taste and essence of Christmas as soon as I bite into the first piece. Since my father goes to Spain once per year, he always brings back enough Turrón for all of us to enjoy on Nochebuena or Christmas Eve. My boys and my nephews love to eat it and, watching them enjoy each piece, immediately catapults me right back to my childhood.
The most important tradition that my parents and grandparents have passed down to me is valuing the importance of family. There is nothing more important than spending time with family and loved ones during the holidays. It is this sense of family that I am trying to teach my own boys. I want them to know that they are a part of something and that they are loved. This feeling of belonging is one of the best feelings in the whole wide world. It is the foundation upon which Latino families are built upon and my sons are a part of that legacy.
Sears understands the importance of treasuring and celebrating important family traditions with your loved ones. It is the home of iconic American brands such as Kenmore, DieHard, and Craftsman. They aim to ease your holiday shopping experience by offering you more and more ways to shop this season. Along with free store pick up, Member Assist and Reserve It members get an extra 10% back in points on the first $500 of each qualifying purchase with a Sears credit card for the entire season. Additionally, Shop Your Way members can take advantage of the Shop Your Way app which allows you to get the special gifts you want to give your family and friends no matter how you decide to shop this Christmas.
At the end of the day, that is what the holidays are all about in our home, family, tradition, togetherness, and giving of oneself to others. There is no other feeling like it in the world and I hope my boys take these precious memories with them into adulthood and pass them on to their own children.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the holidays traditions that you are hoping to pass on to your own children?
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Sears and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I often wondered when someone speaks 2 languages, if they think it in their native language and translate it into what they want to say in the second language.
I think it is so great that you are teaching your kids the importance of family. Without our family…. where would we be?
My ex-husband (and boys father) is Portuguese and their tradition is that baby Jesus brings presents on xmas eve (they don’t do Santa), so I know he does that with the boys every year.
I have seen a Paella cooked publicly in a HUGE pot for all to share. It was pretty amazing looking! We do have some family traditions, but the one thing I hope they always do, that we do now, is strive to be together at some point during the holiday season, no matter where it that they’re living. Nothing makes me happier than having all the kids (and their families as they are growing) together on the holidays.
Great memories! We always get together with the entire family on Christmas Eve for a party. We may not see each other all year, but everyone makes an effort to be there Christmas Eve.
I remember growing up in the 60s and how magical Christmas was. My family would always go shopping the day after Thanksgiving because my Dad had off work. This was way before they ever called it Black Friday. We lived very rural and would have all pack into the car and drive an hour to the nearest major city to do our shopping and that was a city of under 50,000 people. Our day was always busy and full but one thing I remember is we always went to the Sears store as part of our shopping. It was always our favorite store and we were able to find gifts for each other and other family members. It had quality items but yet was affordable. That Sears store will always remain in my Christmas memories as will Sears in general.
I love reading about your holiday traditions! Our most notable holiday tradition is getting a live Christmas tree each year.
I love reading about others traditions and how they spend their holidays. That is a ton of food and looks delicious!
Wow, that food looks delicious! It’s always interesting to learn about other families’ traditions and I love that you think in two languages during a conversation. I can barely think straight in English!
Oh I’m wanting some food now looks so tempting. I love how your honoring both cultures it’s important for kids to know their backgrounds. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and I live in Michigan now so there’s not much that is difference between the two holidays there. At least none that I can think of we just are going to make sure we go out of our way to get our 7 year old daughter to believe there’s Santa. Leaving letters, foot prints and all kinds of sneaky things like that the older kids show up a few days later and we do Christmas all over again. I’m a step mom to 3 teenagers. Sears has lot’s of great stuff going on during the holidays. Were even going to the mall to take photos with Santa for our 7 year old.
Well my hubby is Italian, so we celebrate the traditional Christmas Eve. As for my side of the family, we have traditional southern foods and desserts that we make.
Paella sounds really yummy! I like to do lamb for Christmas!
Oh yum what some delicious looking food, I can’t really think of any traditions I have – wish I had more. x
I am hoping to pass on lots of recipes. Nothing like family and food
Oh look at that spread! Some yummy food traditions for you for sure!
we always get new pjs on christmas eve night, i hope my kids do that with their kids one day.
Oh my goodness look at that spread! I would so love to join you for your holiday celebrations, Paella is a dish I truly love, too! We have similarities in our family traditions with favorite foods, recipes, candies and as you said, the most important key ingredient – family time!
Looks like some good food right there! Enjoy the holidays!