Most Puerto Ricans will feel their Christmas was a little incomplete if they did not get to participate or enjoy an old fashioned lech n asao . Cooking the pig is a big event. The pig is purchased and prepared a couple of days ahead. While the pig roasts there is lots of holiday music. Children will be playing tag and getting in trouble.
Guests bring traditional holiday desserts.
Traditional Puerto Rican Christmas foods such as pasteles, lech n asado, arroz con dulce, tembleque, and coquito give Puerto Ricans a separate identity from the rest of the world. Santa couldn't make it to the tropics in his hot wool suit with cap and raindeer. Our holiday gifts used to be from Los Reyes Magos. Our Reyes celebration begins on the eve of Three Kings Day. On the evening of January 5th Puerto Rican children go outside with scissors and shoe boxes to cut grass for the camels to eat.