Los Tres Reyes Magos work only one night a year: el cinco de enero (January fifth). On such a busy day, they visit all the children and leave them the presents they asked for. Previously, the children have written them a letter, la carta a los Reyes. These are my three tips for a successful letter. I´m using as a sample the letter that my niece Marta (7) wrote last year.
1 Address your letter to an unpopular king in your area:
Each Spanish child has a favorite king from the famous three: Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar. Mine was always Gaspar, since Melchor and Baltasar were the ones who had the biggest following.
2 Begin like this:
Querido(s) ……….: Dear……….
3 Short autobiography:
Me llamo Marta My name is Marta
Tengo 7 años I am 7 years old
Estudio 4º de primaria I am in grade 4
4 Present your merits:
Este año me he portado muy bien This year I have had a very good behavior
y he ayudado a mis hermanas pequeñas and I have helped my little sisters
5 Reveal a small flaw of character, for honesty purposes:
He obedecido a mis padres casi siempre I have obeyed my parents almost always
You don´t want to get caught lying to their Majesties.
6 Present your requests in an organized manner. Spelling and vagueness don´t matter:
Este año voy a pedirme cinco juguetes This year I am asking for five toys
1 una bici sin rodines a bike without assisting wheels
2 las Pet Shops the Pet Shops
3 la consulta médica de Nenuco Nenuco´s medical office
4 el diario de Violeta Violeta´s diary
5 Nancy viaja a Nueva York Nancy travels to NY
7 Play the social conscious card:
y que los pobres tengan trabajo, comida y casa and that the poor have work, food and housing
8 Down play your own interest:
y una cosa más, traedme lo que podáis and one more thing, bring me what you can
9 Sign the letter with your latest signature.
10 And finally, on the night of January 5th leave a small buffet for the kings and camels consistent of milk, cereal, cookies, water and grass.
The good thing about la carta a los Reyes is that you have time to ponder it, and don´t have to rush it. The deadline to mail the letter is the night before the delivery date; they kings are magic for a reason!
