The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #87617   Message #1637830
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
30-Dec-05 - 09:09 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Origin of Letters to Santa-- any ideas?
Subject: RE: Folklore: Origin of Letters to Santa-- any ideas?
Yes, Amos, Santa is a matter of familiarity and sentiment, but now that the frantic season is almost over, I revert to my bah! humbug! attitude. Harrumph!
When I was a child, Santa Fe, my New Mexico home town, was predominantly Hispanic (mostly descendants of settlers who came in the 17th and 18th centuries), so gifts for the children came from Los Reyes magos (Three kings Day, January 6)). Old timers do not remove the nativity scene until February 2.
More recent immigrants from Mexico follow the church observances but many have adopted Anglo gift-giving habits. The city is still about 50% Hispanic.
On New Year's Eve, the Rooster's Mass is celebrated at midnight followed by a meal and gifts (and more partying).

Anglo families observed the Christmas holidays- but somehow as kids we sometimes got mixed up in both traditions.

(Asian and African customs are not noticeable in Santa Fe (Asians about 1%, African-Americans less than 1%). Indians (2-3% live in the city) mostly follow seasonal observances of their home pueblos and nations, about 1/3 Christian.

In Calgary, Canada, where I live now, Asians and other visible minorities make up 20% of the population (mostly Chinese and many SE Asian), and observances of Chinese New Year's and other traditions are strong. But so are the American-Canadian traditions of Christmas. Many Muslims, so Ramadan is important. Jewish holidays also seem strong. Only about 1% Black, from Africa and Caribbean, so little impact and no Black Santas, Azizi.