Yesterday was Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, or El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings). This holiday commemorates the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus, and in some traditions, it is the day that Jesus was baptized. Children in some Spanish-speaking countries receive their gifts on this night, brought by the Wise Men's littlest camel. Some cultures believe that all Christmas decorations must be removed from the house by this date (I personally follow the other tradition that says you have until Candlemas, Feb. 2, to remove Christmas decorations - procrastination is my friend!) It is also Twelfth Night, the end of the twelve days after Christmas which were marked with feasting and revelry. In New Orleans, a King Cake is baked and eaten, and the person who gets the slice with the bean (or doll) in it is responsible for providing the next year's cake. It also marks the start of the festivities that will end with Mardi Gras.
All I have to say is: Every mother of a preschooler is looking at that cake and thinking, "None of that is going to come off faces and hands, much less out of clothing." Any other favorite sweets for this time of year?
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