el Día de reyes

the feast of the epiphany, el día de reyes, on January 6, or the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, used to be celebrated with gift-giving in new mexico, as it is still celebrated in some Hispanic regions of the world. Usually, the children shine one of the shoes they have used to go to school, put some straw in it and, together with a small bowl full of water, place it on the window sill or at the door so that when the magi pass by their animals may have something to eat and drink. As a gesture of gratitude, the magi leave a present. Thus, children are taught to be mindful of animals and to experience the joy of gratitude. In some places, it is the day for the removal of the belén or nacimiento; in other places, this is done at the end of the Christmas season.