North of the border, we were content, even happy to whisk away any trace of holiday cheer around January 1. Not so here in Mexico, where the Christmas season continues on to the January 6 feast day of the Magi (Wise Men) and then wraps up when the babe is lifted from the country's mangers on February 2 (Candlemas).

Small gifts were once given to children by the Niño Dios (the Christ Child) on Christmas Eve, with more gifts to arrive, with the kings who followed the start to present gifts to the newborn king in the manger.

Because there were three gifts listed in the Biblical stories, in Mexico, it is believed that there were three kings who came from three different parts of the known world at that time.

Melchor, the white-bearded oldest king rode a horse from Europe with his gift of gold.

Gaspar rode a camel from Arabia and carried sweet-smelling frankincense. The dark-skinned Balthazar represented Africa and carried myrrh (used to anoint bodies of the dead) on his magnificent elephant.

January 6, also known as Epiphany, is the twelfth day of Christmas remembered by the Renaissance song listing the gifts given by the true love.