Last year, I explained what Three King’s Day is all about and how our family celebrated this occasion back in Puerto Rico.

Since we moved to the states, the tradition slowly got lost. This is partly due to the fact that it’s not a recognized holiday here (we still have to work) and partly to the fact that it gets expensive to buy gifts for two occasions.

Needless to say, at the ModernMami house, we have not been keeping up with this tradition either.

We will be at work today.

Baby girl did not collect grass last night for the camels.

And, she will not get a gift this year.

However, our Christmas decorations are still up!

I’m saddened by this and would really like baby girl to know what this special day is all about.

So, I resolve to do better next year.

El Dia de los Reyes will be celebrated in 2010!

Felicidades mi gente!

Happy Three King’s Day! Feliz Dí­a de los Tres Reyes Magos!

Today is the day for celebrating the three wise men‘s visit to Jesus. In Puerto Rico, we celebrate this day just as if it were Christmas.

The night before (la vispera de reyes), children collect grass in a basket and put it under their beds. The grass is for the camels of the three kings.

Children also receive a gift the next morning and the grass in the basket is replaced with candy.

The baskets are traditionally made out of shoe boxes and decorated with bright color paper bows. I tried to find a picture, but no luck.

I plan to make one for baby girl next year, and keep the tradition going. I think she’ll have fun and it’s a great way for her to learn some of the customs I grew up with.

Three King’s Day also marks the end of the Christmas season and we normally wait until after this day has passed to take down our Christmas tree and decorations.

Do you have any special after-Christmas traditions?