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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Pre-Reyes Magos Hop Giveaway - La Cabalgata

I am having a Pre-Reyes Blog Hop Giveaway!

Since more than 50% of my lineage is Spanish, I thought I would share the following:

The winter holidays are a truly wonderful time to experience a new culture, as each town and country has its own set of time-honored traditions, holiday treats, music, etc. The Christmas season wraps up with Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), which is marked by huge, spectacular parades, all sorts of sweets and pastries and presents for all!


The annual celebrations surrounding the arrival of the Three Kings begins on the evening of January 5 for the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade), and continues on January 6 with the celebration of the Epiphany.

That evening, before an early night in bed, children leave out their shoes in a spot where the Kings are sure to see them. The religious monarchs, just like Santa Claus, certainly love their sweets, so Spanish children often set out goodies to entice the Kings as well as hay to feed their camels. When morning arrives, children delightedly discover that the Kings nibbled the sweets, the camels ate the hay, and by their shoes there are wrapped presents just waiting to be torn into. The magical night comes to a close with a typical breakfast of Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake decorated with fruits symbolizing the precious gems that adorned the royal trio's lavish clothing.

This celebration itself originates from the New Testament story in which the kings
M------, G----, and B-------- travel by night to bring gifts to Jesus. In 1885, the Spanish government called for a parade to mark the holiday. A beloved tradition, the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos is the oldest parade in Spain.  (http://www.enforex.com/culture/reyes-magos.html)


To enter the Giveaway, just leave a comment with one of the king's name!-- I gave you a letter!!!
You will get a package containing two embossing folders-Evergeen Large A2 and Snow Flowers Large A2 and a die of tree #5 (not pictured) by one of my favorite companies, Basic Grey by Sizzix. Everybody qualifies to enter!!!! but you must enter a King's name!
As always, Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!!!!