Unless you really, really love them, there is a high posibility that celebrating Los Reyes Magos is the one Latino tradition that you are letting slide. So soon after Christmas, who has the time, right? If you would like to pass on the tradition to your kids, though, or feel a little guilty for ignoring it, keep reading. Here are easy, cheap and fun last-minute ideas to keep our tradition alive.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 6 Books to teach your bilingual kids all about Three Kings
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Get their refreshments ready
What I love about the Kings is that they are easy-going. With Santa, you need to leave him cookies, but not with Los Reyes! They're happy with any refreshment. Just be sure to leave them three glasses if you leave them drinks by the door. Oh, and something green for the poor camels. It can be grass, or even left over salad.
Clean the shoes
The tradition says that the Kings will know if there are children in the home, based on the size of the shoes left outside. It's a great time to clean your kids' favorite pair and leave them at the front door overnight.
Make a rosca de reyes
Easy-to-make and always fun to eat, a rosca de reyes is a great tradition to follow on Three Kings Day. This recipe is amazing and very easy to make.
Find a parade
Many towns have now a Kings day parade. Look for the closest one to your home. It's fun to see them all dressed up. It's also a good opportunity to teach the kids about the importance of giving.
Gift wrap some candy
If you can't make it to the store. Just gift wrap some candy and call it a day. The excitement will come from seeing stuff in the shoes. I'm sure the big ticket items were checked off at Christmas.
Money is good too
My children, who are 9 and 13, love to get money. If you have older children, it's an easy solution for a last minute gift. Maybe you can even convince them later to donate it to a worthy cause.
Get gifts that promote togetherness
The spirit of the Reyes Magos is generosity and family. I always like gifts that allow us do something together, like this Wonderpack (part of a series of amazing Wonderpacks, one-box celebrations to get together as family) to make silly mugs or one to have fun sledding during snowy nights (all packs are $25-$80).
Tell the story
This video by YouTube stars the Reality Changers says it all. Enjoy it together en familia.
Read books about them
Puerto Rican children's author Georgina Lázaro really got inside a kids mind to explain the tradition to Latino kids in the United States. Check this list to see where to buy it and some more books about this holiday.
Look in the map or a globe
My kids enjoy looking at maps or globes and see the world. You can show them where the Three Kings came from and how they arrived to Bethlehem. You can also talk about where the holiday is celebrated in countries like Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina and many more.
