The Christmas Season and Three Kings Day
The natural festive atmosphere of Puerto Rico reaches a celebratory high point during the holiday season. The many weeks of merriment begin shortly after Thanksgiving in late November when bands of Christmas carolers in colorful costumes, known as "parranderos", surprise people at their homes. The singing doesn't stop until the carolers are invited inside for a party. The homeowners then join the band of singers, and continue on to the next home for more revelry that will last late into the night.
At midnight on Christmas Eve, a large feast is prepared with roast pig, and the traditional Christmas drink known as "coquito" - a coconut milk and rum concoction. This largely Catholic nation reserves Christmas Day as a religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Typically, there are no gifts exchanged on this day, but as American culture seeps into that of Puerto Rico's, Santa Claus and Christmas trees are becoming more common here.
Innocents Day is celebrated on December 28th, commemorating the murder of children by Herod with a day of trickery, similar to April Fools Day.[5]
New Year's Eve is celebrated with firecrackers and parties that last until morning. When the clock chimes at midnight, residents here eat one grape with each chime for good luck. A traditional poem, "El Brindis del Bohemio", is always read to start the New Year.[6]
January 5th is when the real excitement starts building. This is the eve of "El Día de Reyes", The Day of Kings. Traditional Catholics meet together with friends and family to pray the rosary and to honor the three wise men who brought gifts to the Christ child. Children here excitedly prepare for the event by gathering freshly cut grass to give to the king's camels - as American children would leave food for Santa's reindeer - in anticipation of the gifts the kings will bring to them. Puerto Rican folklore holds that good children will receive gifts of candy, sweets and toys; but children who have misbehaved will see dirt or charcoal in his box of grass.[7]
The Christmas traditions of Puerto Rico culminate with the Feast of Kings, also known as the Epiphany, on January 6th - and is much like Christmas Day in other countries. Children wake up early to receive their gifts, and friends and family gather together to feast and celebrate.