Embracing diversity

Ready to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx cultures? Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) honors those who have inspired others to achieve greatness. This month kicks off on Sunday, September 15, marking the anniversary of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua’s independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico and Chile celebrate on September 16 and 18, and Belize followed on September 21.

The flags of Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba serve as powerful symbols during Hispanic Heritage Month. These nations represent the first independent Latin American nations. This month also pays tribute to the history, culture, and contributions of ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Celebrate by attending special exhibitions and programs at museums and cultural institutions. Check out local events like concerts, parades, festivals, and art exhibits. Ready to join in the festivities? Read on to learn more!

Shaping the future together

Curious about the theme for 2024? It follows the motto “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” This theme honors Hispanic history and looks to the future. Hispanic Star launched a 2024 Toolkit packed with messaging, data, and activities for the month. A downloadable Children’s Toolkit in Spanish and English for younger audiences featuring five fun lessons. This year also saw the Hispanic Star AI Announcement, a webinar designed to help businesses, brands, and individuals use unified messaging to reach a wider audience.

Ways to celebrate

Wondering how to get involved? There are plenty of fun ways to celebrate! Dive into Hispanic and Latino traditions like piñatas, Día de los Muertos, and quinceañeras.  Take a virtual or local tour of La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s former home, or explore the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Latino. Gather friends and family for a game of  Lotería, Mexico’s version of Bingo. Enjoy vibrant and uplifting movies like Encanto, Coco, or Vivo!

Cultural cooking

Looking to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with delicious cooking? Sunset offers recipes that introduce adventurous eaters to incredible new flavors. Try the bright blend of citrus, avocado, and pumpkin seeds in a Citrus Salsa, perfect for dipping chips or tacos. Homemade Corn Tortillas or Basic Tamales offer a tasty upgrade from store-bought versions. Slow-cooker carnitas are “best eaten with a Mexican Coke.” And definitely try Fried Plantains—perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or dessert with ice cream!

Symrise has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month for years. Explore dedicated stories that highlight and dive deep into Latino-American culture. How will you celebrate? Share your plans below!

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Exotic holiday sweets & treats – making the most exciting holiday advent calendars

The holidays are knocking at our doors. Excitement of anticipation and celebration lives in the air! While we wait for new beginnings, we can cope better with the countdowns with a daily surprise awaiting us. Advent calendars are all the rage – from silly accessories to luxurious beauty. The best ones showcasing delicious sweets and treats for pampered pets! Food and beverage brands are going all out this year. Read below and discover our advent calendars for you!

Flavor discovery

What comes to your mind when you think of flavors for the holiday season? Hot chocolate, gingerbread, and pumpkin? Brands are now also experimenting with exotic flavors, from luxurious truffle chocolates to surprising spices and hot sauces. This holiday season offers the perfect time to try something new!

• American chocolate brand Delysia Chocolatier’s 24-day chocolate countdown calendar includes diverse globally inspired Christmas tastes. These include lebkuchen, a traditional German Christmas biscuit; champurrado, a thick, hot chocolate from Mexico and a fried chicken chocolate truffle inspired by a Christmas tradition in Japan.
• French sustainable spice brand Terre Exotique’s Spice Discovery Advent Calendar contains 24 sweet and savory spices, salts, and peppers from around the globe.
• Hot sauce calendars have never been hotter. Thai hot sauce brand Flying Goose introduced its first UK calendar. 12 Days of Sriracha, featuring sauces ranging from mild to hot as well as unusual flavors, such as yuzu, tikka, and smoky.

Holiday Sips

Worried about alcohol consumption during the holidays? Then, you can claim yourself lucky. Plenty of alcohol-free options exist to keep things fun, all built into different advent calendars.

• Drydrinker offers an alcohol-free beer calendar perfect for the festive season. Expect low and no-alcohol lagers, stouts, IPAs, and other fancy drinks to see through working from home, Christmas parties, or sofa sessions.
• French tea brand Palais de Thés’ globally inspired tea calendar includes a Yunnan black tea, a Balinese and Brazilian detox blend, and an English-inspired black tea – all in biodegradable cotton tea bags.
• Hot chocolate for two? The Whittard of Chelsea Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two includes 12 flavors like Rocky Road, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Crème Brûlée. 

Countdown, and make it healthy please!

Breaking out of routine during the holidays can also mean to do something for your well-being. Wellness-focused calendars give the perfect answer for those who want to stay active and healthy this holiday season. The offerings include nutritious protein bars, supplements, hangover remedies, and more.

• Berlin-based health food brand Foodspring offers a fitness advent calendar containing items like protein bars, sachets and spreads, a beanie, and a jump rope. You may obtain the calendar in a vegan version too.
• UK nutrition brand MyProtein offers similar products: delicious protein-packed products, such as Double Dough Brownie and the Vegan Protein Blend powders.
• US-based 3D-printed supplement brand Nourished fills their calendar version with vitamins. Days one to seven contain supplements to help regulate immunity. Days eight to fourteen are designed to boost energy. Days fifteen to twenty-one promote a sense of calm. And days twenty-two to twenty-eight help relieve hangover symptoms.

Pampered Pets

We must also remember our furry friends! The countdown calendars for pets also contain plenty of indulging surprises. Who says you need to endure countdowns alone?

• ‘Tis the season of indulgence! UK pet food brand Scrumbles’ 2021 advent calendar contains a mix of functional dog treats, including mini bones for dental health, calming turkey treats with chamomile and lemon balm, and chicken puree for sensitive stomachs.
• Australian pet food brand Laila and Me’s advent calendar for dogs contains 24 different treats, including wild boar, kangaroo jerky, and parsley chicken.
• US cat food brand Fancy’s Feast has released an advent calendar with 24 cans of its gourmet cat food. This includes two new limited edition festive flavors – Yuletide Turkey Feast with Sweet Potato & Tomato in Gravy and Hearthside Salmon Platter with Pumpkin & Spinach Plate.

Which countdown calendar makes you feel most excited about? What favorite holiday traditions do you follow? Share your thoughts with us and leave a comment below!

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