Handmade Gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day

• Days before "El dia de la madre," or Mother's Day, children create handmade cards with special poems to give their mothers. Giving chocolates, flowers and small trinkets is also acceptable, but traditionally the gifts are handmade. On the special day, children serve their mothers breakfast in bed and end the day with a celebratory dinner. On "El dia de la padre," or Father's Day, smaller children create handmade ties or photo albums. The older ones give their father jamon or cured-ham and end the day with a feast.
  
  

Wedding Gifts

• After a wedding ceremony, at the reception the bride and groom circulate among the guests. The couple carries a basket containing gifts of appreciation. They give cigars or small bottles of wine to the men and fragrant perfumes or handkerchiefs to the women (usually the gifts for the women are small and smell good). In return, the guests give the couple money in envelopes.
  
  

Birthdays for Girls Coming of Age

• On a young girl's 15th birthday, she receives several gifts that symbolize her coming of age. Her parents give her a tiara or crown along with a bouquet of pastel flowers followed by a scepter, which represents authority and responsibility of her life. A gift of a Bible and cross symbolizes her devotion to God. The Bible is usually white to represent her virginity. A rosary represents her loyalty and commitment to Mary. Her last gift is a doll. The doll represents her last gift received as a child before entering womanhood.
  
  

Pinatas

• The pinata is not a gift for one person, but for all who attend the celebration. It is common to see a pinata at a child's birthday party. During Christmas or carnivals, adults join in the fun trying to crack open the pinanta. Each guest has a chance to swing at the colorful object to break it open while blinfolded. Once the pinata is opened, everyone enjoys the candies and fruits hidden inside as they dive for the treats on the ground. The modern version of filling the pinata includes small toys with candy.