The Hispanic Tradition of celebrating the Three Magic King’s Day or El Dia De Los Tres Reyes Magos actually holds its roots in religious traditions.
Three Kings Day celebrates the Biblical story of the three magic kings, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, who followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, where they brought baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The journey is believed to have taken 12 days, beginning on Dec. 25 and ending with their arrival on Jan. 6.
In many Hispanic cultures, the Three Kings are to children what Santa Claus is in the United States--the gift bearer. But rather than bringing large and expensive toys, candy and small gifts are handed out to children. Many families have chosen to abbreviate Three Magic Kings Day, combining the holiday with Christmas; setting up both a Christmas tree and a traditional nativity scene. As a part of the tradition, on the eve of Three Magic Kings Day, children leave a shoebox filled with grass, sometimes accompanied by a glass of water, under their bed or by the door to help the three kings and their camels along on their journey.
When children wake up on the morning of Three Kings Day, the grass and water will have been replaced with candy and small gifts, believed to have been consumed by the three kings and their camels.
For many Hispanics, Three Magic Kings Day is about preserving culture.