So one would think with Christmas and New Year’s being over, January would be a quiet month, think again, The Dia de Reyes is a big thing in Mexico and if you happen to get baby Jesus in your Rosca you will need to celebrate again in February.
In Mexico, Santa Claus is not as popular as los Reyes, according to tradition, the Three Wise Men that visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem come every year (horse, camel and elephant included) and hand toys to well behaved children across Latin America. This Spanish tradition is very well ingrained in the Mexican families so don’t be surprised if your little one gets asked at school about what gifts did the Reyes brought to your home. Also, if you want to live the tradition to the fullest, remember to leave some big buckets of water, carrots and hay for the wild visitors you will receive at night. Santa might like cookies but that elephant needs quite a bit of water!
The Food
It is traditional for families to eat the Rosca de Reyes on the eve of the 6th of January with a good thick Mexican chocolate. The Rosca is a fabulous sweet bread topped with some sugar and dried fruits, in the past couple of years, new iterations have come to market with cream fillings and whatnot but the traditional one is simple and light. This being Mexico any excuse is good to party and Roscas are just a prelude to another celebration. At night everyone gathers and watches how you cut your slice, don’t worry, they’re not counting caloric intake, they mostly want to know if you have a baby Jesus in your bread. Baby Jesus brings you luck and joy, but privilege also comes with responsibility, if you are the lucky fellow getting it, you are expected to buy tamales the 2nd of February (Dia de la Candelaria), so beware, if you’re invited to some local friends the expectation is, you will bring tamales on the date.
In a sense as well, Dia de la Candelaria is the final day of the Christmas period for the most traditional families, so don’t be surprised if you still spot some decorations and the Nativity displayed until February, families are not slacking, they just keep it traditional.
Good deed of the Month
Santos Reyes sometimes forget to visit some of the most humble families in Mexico, whether it’s the children we see in the streets or in remote villages, but you can help them spread the joy with donations or time. A great organization that has been supporting them for the past years in this is the Reyes Vagos Oficial contact them and see how you can help.
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