According to an article in La Prensa San Diego, the old tradition of los Reyes Magos could boost the community’s economy if they say no to gift-giving on December 25 and instead give the gifts on January 6 because of the sales after Christmas. But, as I mentioned earlier, Latinos seem to follow both holidays, thus exchanging gifts each time.
Some Latinos have said they forgot some of their traditions when they arrived to the U.S. There is a funny story of a little girl learning about los Reyes Magos from an episode in Dora the Explorer, an bilingual TV character.
We love to share different traditions. That is why us Puerto Ricans leave some cookies and milk (or Coca Cola) for Santa Claus on the 24th, but love to fill shoe boxes with grass for the Three Kings’ camels on January 6th. If you do not leave food, no gifts!
