If you’re looking for funky holiday gift ideas, listen up. Lately I’ve been into Mexican kitsch like “lucha libre” – a theatrical, acrobatic and campy form of Mexican wrestling. I was a luchador for Halloween, I own masks for spontaneous late-night wrestling with friends, and last year, I saw a live match at the Plaza del Toros in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It was awesome! Sweat was flying, beer was flowing, and fans were munching on fresh-fried potato chips drizzled with hot sauce. The kids in the crowd went nuts for their favorite luchadores. I even got a photo with my favorite wrestler, Ultimo Vampiro.
Traditionally, a Mexican wrestling match pits good guy against bad guy, and the luchador never reveals his true identity by taking off his mask or he could be disqualified. Even when luchadores retire, they often still wear their masks in public, and some are even buried in their masks—like El Santo, the most famous luchador in Mexican history. Since my trip, I’ve been noticing lucha libre popping up all over the place: a new restaurant called Lucha Libre in New York, lucha libre toys in Tokyo, a new mural on Hubbard Street in Chicago, and, of course, that Jack Black flick now on cable. It seems like suddenly everyone’s going loco for luchas!
Being a buyer at Paper Source has allowed me to see how many others share my love of luchas!
Some of our customers’ favorite products (all great holiday gifts for the lucha lover in your life) are the Lucha Libre Thumb Wrestling Masks (tiny masks that fit over your thumbs for on-the-go wrestling), Lucha Libre Dolls (set of 12 action figures portraying lucha characters, capes included!), and a set of Lucha Key Covers that would make even the garbage room keys fun!
Another fabulously festive item is a handmade (in Chicago!) Christmas card, which is stamped with a luchador holding a large present. The perfect card for your lucha gift this holiday season! (sorry, this card is only available in stores)
Feliz Navidad everyone!
–Lindsay, PS Buying Team
PS colors: beet & fuchsia
Latest fave: Lotus Flower Gift Wrap
Awesome blog, Lindsay. I think I’ll get into Lucha Libres myself!
Lindsay!!! As a Mexican I thank you for this post. I am also a Lucha Libre lover and your article describes pretty good what Luchas it’s about…
El Santo, Blue Demon, Black Shadow, Tinieblas, Rayo de Jalisco, Mil Mascaras are legendary luchadores from the past.
My brother (now 38) has a collection of luchas dolls, the original and he even has a ring… My nephew (6 yo) also has his luchas dolls.
Ultimo Vampiro is a great fighter and there are many more… Like Mistico and Latin Lover…
Best regards and happy holidays….
Hey, I been noticeing those Meixcan wrestlers everywhere too! It must be some sort of trend or something. There’s a new restaurant in manhatan near my house called “La Lucha” or something, and it’s got those masks and stuff on the walls. Is mexico like the new Japan, in terms of coolness? I hope so, bc my mom is from Mexico, so that would make me half cool!… ;-0
good blog, btw!
That is an excellent description of a great category of gift ideas!
Mexico has many great traditions and Luchas Libres are definitely part of that.
Thanks for writing this. Lindsay’s contributions to this blog are always interesting to read.