A celebration of Santa Fe's unique holiday traditions. Christmas in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico is full of enchantment, a rich cultural feast of Spanish, Anglo and Pueblo traditions. Susan Topp Weber chronicles the best of what the region has to offer during the long holiday season and combines them with intriguing stories and gorgeous photos. Susan Topp Weber has participated in the many events of Christmas in northern New Mexico for more than forty years. She has owned and operated Susan's Christmas Shop, just off the Plaza in Santa Fe, for more than thirty years. She is frequently asked to lecture about New Mexico Christmas traditions.

Its Christmas Eve in Santa Fe, but among the revelers on Canyon Road, a decidedly unholy scene is taking place. A desperate man, dressed all in black, feverishly seeks refuge for himself and the squirming bundle he holds tightly against his breast...

Lightly falling snow, covering everything in sight with a soft mantle of white, burning luminarias and mellow-light farolitos, the warm adobe architecture, the peace and quiet that settles over the land on Christmas Eve, all tend to strengthen the comparison between Santa Fe and the land where Christ was born. At no time of year is it more apparent that Santa Fe, New Mexico is a foreign city still relying on the traditions of the past. Pedro Ribera Ortega’s richly descriptive book gives all the details, including the difference between luminarias and farolitos, in case you have lived in Santa Fe all your life and still do not know the difference.

Among Santa Fe's many attractions, its Christmas festivities are perhaps the most unique expression of the city's history and spirit. This lavishly illustrated book offers the reader many gifts. It captures the ambience and mix of cultural traditions -- Indian, Spanish, and frontier American -- that lend pure magic to the Christmas season in this enchanted city. A virtual Christmas cornucopia, it also presents a plethora of traditions and ideas, recipes, party plans, and decoration and gift crafts to inspire readers who wish to bring fresh enjoyment to their own Christmas celebrations. Internationally known Christmas designer Richard Clawson has put together a wealth of festive gourmet menus, recipes, Christmas decorations, and party ideas for children and adults, all illustrated in stunning colour photographs. He provides clear, detailed instructions for making innovative ornaments, decorations, and gifts out of inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. Adding a personal touch, he shares some of his own Christmas traditions and experiences. Writer Jann Arrington Wolcott traces the history of Christmas in Santa Fe and describes old traditions that remain alive, such as: Las Posadas, the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, the farolitas and luminarias that light their way; the masked Matachines dancers; traditional feasts and decorations; and a more recent addition--an anonymous "Spanglish" version of "'Twas the Night before Christmas". A glimpse into the past is provided by members of old New Mexico families -- Indian, Spanish, and frontier American -- who share their earliest memories of Christmas as well as special recipes traditionally associated with the holiday season.

At Christmastime, William has to leave behind his cherished train set when his family goes to visit William's frightening great-grandmother.

With him, are her dreams more out of reach than ever? Evie Hernandez gave up her dream job to help with Mama Irene’s, the family business. Balancing her modernization plans while respecting generations of traditions isn’t easy, especially with her nosy, loving family offering unsolicited advice. That’s never more true than when she meets Alex—Mr. Tall, Dark and Far Too Handsome. He makes her wonder if she’s given up on her dreams too quickly, and soon she imagines a much different future for herself. Alejandro "Alex" Ortiz is in Santa Fe to do business with Mama Irene’s, but when he meets the beautiful Evie, he realizes he’ll need a different approach. Soon he’s playing bartender, serving up horchatas, and sampling tamales, reminding him of his childhood and beloved Abuelita. Charmed by Evie and her family, Alex drops his guard and lets himself enjoy Santa Fe’s Christmas traditions. But he has a deadline to keep and a business to get back to—plus, Evie will hate him when she learns why he’s really there. Can the magic of a Santa Fe Christmas help these two find their way?

Ever since most of the dragons in the world mysteriously disappeared, Pablito the Purple Dragon has been alone. The only other dragon he knows is mean old Soggerty, and who wants to spend time with him? But when Pablito discovers Soggerty stealing Christmas presents from the children of Santa Fe, what is a good dragon to do? Will Soggerty ruin Christmas? Pablito doesn't want all those children to wake up without toys, so with the help of a special visitor from the North Pole, he hatches a plan.