Popular Mexican Christmas Gifts
The custom of putting up a Christmas tree has become very popular in Mexico, so we thought we'd share a few popular Mexican Christmas gifts that you may want to add to your Baja holiday gift shopping list.
The custom of putting up a Christmas tree has become very popular in Mexico, so we thought we'd share a few popular Mexican Christmas gifts that you may want to add to your Baja holiday gift shopping list.
Oaxacan Wood Carving
Oaxacan
folk art wood carvings or "alebrijes" have been produced by the same
families in the small town of San Martin Tilcajete for decades. Each
piece is carefully carved with amazing detail from copal, a soft wood
found in Mexico. Then it is hand painted in bright colors and patterns.
www.sunriseimports.net/oaxacanwoodcarvings.html
Beaded Mask
Created
by the Huichol Indians, a small tribe of approximately 10,000 Indians
living in central western Mexico, this beaded mask is made by overlaying
the carved mask with a beeswax and resin mixture. Then tiny glass beads
are placed by hand on the sticky base, one at a time, until the pattern
is complete. The Huichol create these sacred objects of beauty as a way
of honoring the life-giving forces of the universe.
Aztec Dolls
Aztec
Dolls are 100 percent handcrafted by the Mexica (Ma-she-ka) Indians of
Central Mexico. The Mexica are the descendants of the the great Aztec
Empire, but in today's world they struggle for existence. The
craftsmanship of these dolls are so intricate that their arms and legs
actually move. www.aztec-empire.com/dolls.htm
Mexican Bubble Glass
Mexican
blown glass was called Mexican bubble glass because of all the bubbles
produced when blowing the molten glass. The blown glass technique
consists of blowing through a pipe onto a red-hot glass mass, heated in a
special oven. Pitchers and glasses can be clear or with rims and bases
in cobalt, turquoise and amber. Mexican bubble glass will add a bit of
the Mexican culture to your home.
Dia de los Muertos, Mexican Day of the Dead Folk Figures and Sculptures
The
skeleton figures and sculptures are made from a variety of materials
including hand-painted sheet metal, paper mache and clay. The skeleton
figures are created and painted by hand by the folk artists of Mexico.
Many of the painted clay skeletons (esqueletos) are fashioned to depict
the activities the deceased enjoyed while alive.
Virgen De Guadalupe T-Shirt
The
Virgen of Guadalupe is universally revered in Mexico, which doesn't
mean her image is somehow sanctified. It is everywhere, though it is
never used in a commercial manner to sell anything. A tasteful T-shirt
or blouse with an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe will help your
traveler feel right at home in Mexico.
Artisans from Taxco, a beautiful town located in the mountains of the west coast of Mexico, are world famous for their handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. They transform pure silver into lovely jewelry with either classic or trendy designs. The complete collection at Silverzeal is 925 sterling silver.
**You can also go to www.bajats.com for all you I love Baja T-shirts and to www.goodlifeguidebooks.com for you Baja Community Guide Books. Give Baja as a gift this Holiday Season!
