“Home for the Holidays” has special meaning for everyone, because we all have personal and cultural traditions during this month and a half. The feeling of family and connectedness at this time, of generosity and good will, ebb forth and create a season unlike any other in the year. To quote the Muppets, this season is “the summer of the soul in December.”
New Mexico, and Rio Rancho in particular, has some very special traditions. Here are some of the wide-spread customs found throughout the state:
-some families eat tamales alongside turkey on Thanksgiving
- Luminarias both replace and enhance Christmas Lights
-Christmas is a season, and a flavor
-New Mexico’s the only place where you might find Santa in a hot air balloon
Rio Rancho is a very festive city. For Thanksgiving, there is the Hobbler Gobbler Thanksgiving Day run (http://www.active.com/running/rio-rancho-nm/hobbler-gobbler-thanksgiving-day-run-10k-5k-and-kids-k-2012), an early morning, invigorating run with categories in the 5K and 10K options. There’s even a run for the kids. A portion of the proceeds goes to RunFit, an after school running program for kids. It’s a great way to get out on Thanksgiving.
The Christmas season, of course, starts just after Thanksgiving. Rio Rancho Winterfest (http://ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/index.aspx?nid=1189) is a long-standing tradition. It includes a parade, a luminaria-lit City Center, and a scavenger hunt for the kids. It’s a free event, but anyone who brings non-perishable food items is entered into a raffle. For a more indoors activity, the Esther Bone Memorial Library (http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=1870) is showing Eloise at Christmastime, a wonderful family film. The activity is free, and starts at 1:00pm on December 22nd.
Matthew Streff is a Realtor and owner of EXIT Realty Southwest. Matt specializes in helping home buyers and sellers in Rio Rancho, NM. To find your dream home for sale in Rio Rancho, go to www.Matt.ExitRealtySouthwest.com
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