The 2017 Spanglish Family Holiday Gift Guide

by Spanish Mama | Dec 13, 2017 | Other, Spanglish Living

Inside: Spanish gift guide for Spanish/English-speaking kids and families.

The holidays are quickly approaching, but if you’re like me, you still have people on your gift list!

If you need some ideas for a Spanglish friends and family still on your list, I’ve got you covered. Here are some fun ideas for meaningful and quality gifts.

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1. Coco-Inspired Lotería and Bingo

Disney Pixar Coco (Remember Me) A LOTERIA Game

How fun is this? Bingo/Lotería to go with the Coco craze, and bring Mexican culture into your home with these gorgeous designs.

2. Spanish Edition of Scrabble

Scrabble Spanish

We are having lots of fun with this one right now! If you have a mix of English and Spanish speakers, you can always allow everyone to play in their native language.

3. T-shirts

How about an adorable bilingual onesie? I think these are too cute:

Chiquitin Clothing on Etsy

I wanted to recommend the amazing Ellie Elote Store, but they are temporarily closed! Perhaps a Coco-themed shirt in the meantime:

Disney Coco Heathered T-Shirt for Girls Size S (5/6) Blue

5. Magnetic Poetry

Magnetic Poetry – Spanish Kit – Words for Refrigerator – Write Poems and Letters on the Fridge – Made in the USA

Keep Spanish on everyone’s mind with this fun magnetic set. Leave message for each other, learn some new words, and get creative with this gift.

6. Music

Diez Deditos/ Ten Little Fingers

If it’s a family with younger kids, I can’t recommend Jose Luis Orozco highly enough!

andes gift

Of course I’m partial to anything Peruvian, but this is a great educational gift. The Ebook and CD from Daria’s Little Village Store teach about Quechua culture and life in the Andes.

7. Coffee Mug

Funny Spanish Animal Coffee Mug by Crazy Cool Mugs | Como Te Llamas Language Joke, 11 Ounce White

Just yes please.

8. DIY Map Ornament

peru ornament

You can make this for free! Decoupage maps onto an old ball ornament. (If you look up DIY decoupage ball ornament, there are tons of tutorials out there.) Use maps that hold significance: hometowns, places traveled to, etc.

9. Map Gifts

Custom Wedding Couple 2 Heart Maps Art Print, UNFRAMED, Wedding gift, Personalized & Customized, Engagement Gift, Anniversary Gift, Valentines day gift, Housewarming gift

If you want to be creative, here’s a really thoughtful and personalized idea for a bicultural couple. Just give the hometown of each couple and order the print. Jigsaw2order – Personalized Photo Jigsaw Puzzle with 504 pieces, 16x20in

Use a family photo, travel pictures, hometown pictures, or maps to make a customized puzzle.

10. Bilingual or Authentic Spanish Books

It’s so hard to list just a few. Seriously. Browse my recommendations for 50 Bilingual Books in Spanish and English, or 50 Authentic Books in Spanish for Kids and see what I mean.

But if I have to boil it down to my very favorites, I’ll do my best. If you want to be a really awesome gift-giver, think about giving a subscription to Spanish and English books via Booklandia or Sol Book Box.

Then your favorite Spanglish family can get something new to read/explore every month!

Here goes:

Board Books:

Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras (English and Spanish Edition)

With gorgeous images, these bilingual board books are perfect for small hands. They put even your littlest ones in touch with Latino culture and are sure to delight.

Preschoolers:

¡Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes (Spanish Edition)

This collection has the best of traditional Spanish rhymes and songs, with beautiful illustrations on each page. It needs to be on every Spanglish family shelf for sure.

Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever / El mejor libro de palabras de Richard Scarry (Richard Scarry’s Best Books Ever) (English, Multilingual and Spanish Edition)

Busy and curious preschoolers will love this pictionary from Richard Scarry. It’s great for families where both parents aren’t bilingual and want to learn along with their kids.

Elementary:

Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas (Tales Our Abuelitas Told): Cuentos populares Hispánicos (Spanish Edition)
Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy (1996) Paperback

I love anything by Alma Flor Ada, and this collection brings together classic Hispanic stories.

Que Monton de Tamales (Too Many Tamales) (Spanish Edition) by Gary Soto, Ed Martinez

A Noche Buena story, this book is available in both Spanish and English. It’s a fun story with Latino culture, family, and food woven throughout.

Older Kids:

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Book)

Written in English, Secret of the Andes follows the story of a boy as he learns about his ancestors. (Sorry for another Peru-heavy suggestion!)

Adult Readers:

Arroz con Pollo and Apple Pie: Raising Bicultural Children

See my review of this wonderful book here. It’s a perfect read for bicultural parents with young or older children– challenging, heartwarming, and helpful.

Hope this list was helpful! Don’t forget to sing up for my newsletter below for more Spanglish ideas and help.

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Latin Christmas Songs: Your Essential Spanish Playlist

by Spanish Mama | Dec 13, 2017 | Songs in Spanish

Inside: Latin Christmas songs playlist to celebrate with family and friends.

Whether you like to turn on the Christmas songs in October or you prefer to wait for December, there’s nothing to bring on Navidad nostalgia like music. I grew up listening to classic English carols and the likes of Frank Sinatra, but I’ve expanded the repertoire since marrying my Peruvian husband. Now there’s twice as much festivity, with a little more cha-cha-cha thrown in.

Latin Christmas Songs Playlist

This list is a mix of original Spanish songs, villancicos, and ones that are familiar to English speakers as well. Some are religious and some aren’t; some are old classics and some are recent covers. (If you’re a teacher and are looking for a non-Christmas song, skip to the end for a great Latin Hanukkah song.)

So, grab a mug a of chocolate and curl up for some Christmas cheer!

1. Mi burrito sabanero (Juanes)

It’s really not a Latin playlist without this classic. And Juanes nails it!

2. Los peces en el río (Pandora)

This is an original Spanish song that you’ll hear again and again during the Christmas season.

3. Feliz Navidad (Michael Bublé y Thalia)

Obviously, Feliz Navidad. Thanks to this song, basically everybody knows how to say Christmas in Spanish. I adore the version by Michael Bublé and Thalia!

4. El niño de tambor/ El tamborilero (Pandora)

There are tons of great options for this songs (Don Omar has a good cover), but this version is classic.

5. Blanca Navidad (Matisse ft. Arthur Hanlon)

Here’s a fresh cover of Blanca Navidad that will get your toes tapping. Try the version by Andrea Bocelli if you love a more classic sound.

6. Campanas de Navidad (Celia Cruz)

Throwback to older days of salsa-inspired music with this song by Celia Cruz.

7. Noche de paz (Laura Pausini)

Beautiful, of course, from Laura Pausini (I like the Matisse cover as well).

8. Campana sobre campana (Pandora)

It’s hard to beat Pandora’s version of Campana sobre campana.

9. Ven a mi casa esta Navidad (Luis Aguile)

Luis Aguile’s Ven a mi casa esta Navidad is a must-listen-to and sure to bring back memories.

10. Allá en el pesebre (Aliento ft. Majo Solis)

Beautiful, reverent cover of the traditional carol Away in a Manger. (villancico– religious). Listen to this one on Christmas eve.

11. Adestes fideles (Andrea Bocellia)

To end on a more majestic note, O Come Let Us Adore Him in Spanish is a beautiful song.

12. Canción para la Navidad (José Luis Perales)

13. Ocho Kandelikas – Latin Hanukkah Remix

To round out the holidays, here’s a great version of Ocho Kandelikas, in honor of Hanukkah.

Hope you enjoyed my picks for essential Latin Christmas Songs! What did I miss on your playlist? Let me know in the comments below.

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Spanish Christmas Songs

Image Credits:

Africa Studio / Shutterstock