What's the connection? I always see multiple posts about Tamales this time of year….

I'd guess making tamales is a time and labor intensive endeavor and during the holidays people have time and families being together have the labor and it's a great way to spend time together. Eventually the tamales and Christmas became intertwined and ultimately became a holiday tradition.

For our family, there is a bit of history.

My grandfather owned a small town meat market. During the holiday season, the Mexican men in town wanted a good cut of meat for the holidays, but didn't always have the cash. He would take homemade tamales as part of a trade. With that, our family got to eating tamales during Christmas, specifically on Christmas eve, and the tradition was born, out of some generosity by my grandfather, and a willingness to make good with another man on the other side of his butchers block.

It's so Mexicans have something to unwrap…





At least that's how the joke goes.

I'm curious to the background as well. We have had tamales every Christmas Eve as long as I can remember.

I grew up in San Antonio and don't ever remember hearing about them until I moved to Houston.

My in laws (white) love having them for Christmas dinner every year. Personally I don't care for Mexican food for Christmas. We have Mexican food all the time. There's nothing special about it. I prefer doing something different, like Turkey or a roast or something we don't have all the time.

First reply is why.

I've always had them around the holidays. Born and raised in Texas.

This is also my family's tradition on Christmas Eve. I remember reading this a few years ago, which might explain the history of how tamales became significant on Christmas.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.texasmonthly.com/articles/texanist-whats-deal-tamales-christmas/amp/

Mexican tradition that white people have culturally appropriated.

Where can one get good tamales in the BCS area. We lost our home made tamale lady

Yep. We used to go to an annual tamale-making party the first week of December. It is pretty fun just hanging out at table, drinking and making everyone's favorites.

Jesse's

The La Familia in the gas station at Baron and Hwy 6 makes good tamales. The best ones I have had were made by someone's abuelita.

I have heard good things about Tio Tamales in Bryan. Just haven't bought any from them yet.

Tio Tamale is the best in B/CS or anywhere else.

As a side note, the prepped-for-cooking HEB brisket queso is outstanding on tamales.