Across many cultures January 6th is the traditional day where gifts are exchanged instead of December 25th.Some examples are the Feast of Epiphany, Dia de Los Reyes (the three Kings day), La Befana day. Feast of Epiphany and Dia de los Reyes are similar as they both celebrate the 3 kings bringing gifts to Jesus. The story goes that the wise men or the 3 kings came to Jesus 12 days after his birth. The 3 kings brought their gifts on this day so many cultures chose this day (January 6th) to do their gift exchanges. Other festivities include eating the Rosca de Reyes cake (recipe is in the next article), eating Panettone cake (much like fruit cake which recipe will also be in the next article) parades with decorative floats and people dressed up as the three kings to hand out gifts, and some people mark their doors with the Magi Blessings. The feast of La Befana is an Italian tradition where an old lady or witch delivers gifts to the children of Italy on the eve of Epiphany. This woman the tradition goes was asked to join the wise men but declined and regretted it. Ever since, she has been looking for the baby Jesus and leaving gifts for all the kids who leave their shoes or stockings out. She is always depicted riding on a broom.
