AUSTIN, Texas — For many Texas families, tamales are a holiday tradition.

• Tamales are a staple holiday Christmas food
• Tamale House East stays open to fulfill orders
• Produces 4,000 tamales in a week

While some restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve, Tamale House East opened their doors to fulfill tamale orders.

Co-Owner Carmen Valera said it takes a lot of hands at work and time to produce 4,000 tamales in a week, but somehow, their small team of workers make it happen year after year.

In fact, it's a tradition, for this family, that goes back generations.

"I get a little emotional thinking about my grandma and that she made so many tamales in a kitchen that is about a quarter the size of mine,” Valera said. “I don't even know how she made it because we have an enormous kitchen."

Tamales made by hand can be cumbersome to prepare. It's much quicker to let the machine prepare them, but many say they don't turn out the same.

The Valera Family wants to continue the handmade tradition that is slowly dying.

"When we see someone come in and really appreciate that there is still this going on. It does warm our heart because what we are giving is what our parents and our great-grandparents and grandparents gave, is the love of coming together as a family," Co-Owner Diane Vasquez Valera said.

This is the busiest time for the Tamale House, but they do also sell tamales for New Years Eve.