South Texas is a laid-back, friendly place, heavily influenced by the culture of our Mexican neighbors. We tend to be agreeable and accepting of differences. Still, Texas has the distinction of being the only state that was once an independent nation. When the Republic of Texas joined the United States, vestiges of rugged individualism remain. As the saying goes, “don’t mess with Texas.”
We have our own peculiar social guidelines in South Texas, not to be confused with traditions in the more cosmopolitan areas of the state. You know, up north toward Dallas way. When it comes to clothing, for example, denim is always appropriate. Properly accessorized, jeans can go to even the most highfalutin gatherings. Boots—and that of course means cowboy-style boots—are an excellent fashion choice anytime, anywhere south of Austin. They go perfectly with a short skirt, long skirt, evening dress, pants, jeans or a wedding gown. My dad had a cherished pair of black and white western boots he wore only with his tuxedo. He cut quite a dashing figure in that outfit.
A South Texan who stays home during the holidays and lives a long life can hope to see a white Christmas once or twice. When the flakes fall, everyone rushes out to take photos of the Alamo and Spanish missions frosted with snow. We have to hurry because the sun is sure to come out and melt the white stuff within a day. The pictures taken on such occasions appear on Christmas cards and greetings for the next couple of decades.
Like most other Americans, we love our turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce at Christmastime. Don’t be surprised if there the dressing contains jalapeno peppers. Those dishes sit on the buffet table next to the equally essential tamales. Seriously, you can’t have a holiday without tamales. People stand in long lines to buy them. The best tamales, however, aren’t for sale. They’re made by senior cooks in abuela’s kitchen. Abuela is Spanish for grandmother, but that’s another story for another day.
We buy Christmas decorations, lots of them, but they lose something in translation. A house near me has three huge, inflatable penguins sitting in the front yard. Two penguins perch on a sled appearing to glide across a perfectly flat expanse of still-green grass. A third penguin stands nearby, brandishing a snow shovel. If we have a big snowstorm, this penguin is prepared. It happened in 1985. So, who knows? Maybe we’re due. Above the heads of the rubber penguins, strands of Christmas lights twinkle merrily among the fronds of a pygmy palm tree. Top all this off with fake icicles hanging from the eaves of the house and friends, you’re a strong contender for one of the neighborhood association’s decorating awards.
Despite the rare white Christmas, the holidays are likely to be warm and sunny in South Texas. It’s too hot to wear the bulky wool sweaters on display in department stores. We tend to shop craft shows to find Christmas tee shirts and Santa Claus shorts. Inexpensive, light-up jewelry remains popular year after year.
If you ever find yourself alone or yearning to travel during the holidays, come on down to South Texas. Watch the colorful parade along river walk. Get close enough and you’ll hear caroling from the passing floats. Mingle with the warm-hearted folks who flock to church on Christmas eve to celebrate the reason for the season. Let it be known you’re not local, and you stand a good chance of being invited to join a new friend’s family for dinner.
Merry Christmas, y’all.
Carlene Havel
