Many countries celebrate Epiphany Day on January 6 each year. This is a Christian holiday that celebrates primarily when the Magi lead by a star visited baby Jesus after he was born and brought gifts (incense, myrrh, and gold). It also commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus to the world.
Inspired by this biblical story, many countries have adopted different traditions to celebrate this important day. The traditions can be different in some ways, but the significance and importance remain the same throughout all the countries. This holiday is also be called: Three Kings Day, Kings Day, The Wise Men Day, or Dia de los Tres Reyes.
In my country, Puerto Rico, Three Kings Day is a very special day — as important as Christmas. It is a national holiday where most businesses stay closed. Kids don’t return to school from their Christmas break until after this day. Before January 6, kids write letters to the Three Kings named Melchor, Baltazar and Gaspar, asking for gifts. Some towns have parades where the Kings come to visit and bring gifts and candy. There are also plenty of photo opportunities around the island for the kids to take pictures with the Three Kings.
On the night of January 5, children traditionally use an old shoe box to put grass and water for the King’s camels under their beds. The following morning, they wake up to gifts brought by the Kings. Families also get together and have parties, exchange gifts, and eat traditional Puerto Rican food.
In Mexico, many kids also wake up to gifts from the Three Kings on the day of January 6. Families gather to have hot chocolate and their traditional Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake). This is a sweet, oval shaped cake with a hole in the middle. Inside the cake, they hide a small plastic baby figurine. According to the tradition, whoever gets the figurine will be responsible for paying for the food for a special festivity Mexicans celebrate on February 2.
In some South America countries, traditions are similar. Children will clean a pair of shoes and leave them at their front door with a letter to the Kings with their wish list. The Three Kings Day is not only celebrated in Latin America, but this tradition also extends to several countries in Europe, like Spain, France and Italy.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I grew up celebrating Three Kings Day. This day always brings a smile and sweet memories to me. That’s why when my husband and I decided to start a family, we agreed on adding this holiday to our family traditions. We love 
spending this day in Puerto Rico surrounded by family and friends, but some years we haven’t been able to travel over Christmas break.
Regardless, we always managed to keep the tradition going here at our Kansas City home. Isabella leaves dry grass, and sometimes lettuce for the camels in a box by our Christmas tree. She leaves water as well for the camels and cookies and black coffee for the Three Kings. And of course, the Kings leave her presents under the tree. Now that Isabella is in school, we let her stay home that day if the date is on a weekday. We make traditional Puerto Rican food and spend the day together.
I love teaching our daughter about my Puerto Rican traditions and pass them to her. This is a way I can honor my country, my family and myself.
