BASICS TO PLAN LAS POSADAS

Whether you celebrate one night or all nine nights of Las Posadas, there is much to do, so start with this check list. Go to the FORUM for more tips.

ORGANIZE A COMMITTEE
Las Posadas needs many organizers and helpers. Participation among many in the community makes it more rewarding.

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY
Pick a common time and your route(s), get permissions from local officials, find people who can guide/safeguard the procession.

ASK FOR HOST FAMILIES/PLACES
You will need three houses/places to ask for posada each night. That could mean 24-26 houses/places.

RECRUIT MUSICIANS
Get guitarists who can play nightly and singers who can bring out the singing in others.

COPY SONG SHEETS
The "Asking for Posada" song and Christmas carols should be copied, distributed and collected nightly.

SELECT THEMES
Choose certain themes that will help enrich the faith and celebration of those participating in your Posadas. For Posadas in 2008, see the themes offered by the Posadas Project under the 2008 Page.

CHOOSE CHARACTERS - JOSEPH, MARY & ANGEL
If you decide to have participants play the roles, get children or adults for these three key roles. Use simple costumes that can be shared. You may want other characters from the Bible. If you use statues of the characters, chose a set of figures that can be publicly carried in the procession.

PROVIDE A PIÑATA FOR EVERY NIGHT
Have a group in the parish/community order or make a piñata for every night. They should also fill the piñata with treats and have the rope and gear to hang the piñata. Remember the palo - the stick - and the blindfold.

OFFER HOSPITALITY in FOOD/DRINK
Many traditional foods like bunuelos, pan dulces, tamales, champurado, are served. It is helpful to have volunteers to provide food nightly and to help clean up.

INVITE OTHERS
Make up an invitation and have groups in your community/parish invite others. Look for ways of linking your parish with another parish or church. Inform the local diocesan publication. Make up and send a press release to your local media. Your Posadas may be a welcomed Christmas event and story for the community.

BRING LIGHTS
Ask people to bring flashlights or candles.

RECRUIT LEADERS/SPEAKERS
Sign up volunteers to read, speak, lead prayers or recite the rosary. Have these leaders consult the themes and help them be meaningful for the posada-goers. Have a microphone and speakers/a portable public address system.