Three Kings Day
A time of gift giving in Puerto Rico
virginvoices.com staff
Think Santa in triplicate- but without the silly red suits.
In Puerto Rico children get their booty from the Three Kings on January 6, rather than on Christmas Day.
Thought Christmas is still celebrated the gift giving comes as the long Christmas season comes to a fabulous finale on El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, translated in the Day of the Three Kings.
The night before children gather grass and place it in a box at the foot of their beds, to feed the camels that deliver the Three Kings to their homes.
In Old San Juan the government stages an elaborate Three Kings Day Festival every year, similar to a carnival with food, arts, crafts – and free gifts.. The centerpieces are the Three Kings sitting on thrones who dispense gifts to every child.
Photo by D. B. Bostdorf
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