*By Eymi Silvestre and Génesis García
Santo Domingo.-The high demand of people in shops and sales stalls has marked the atmosphere prior to the celebration of Three Kings’ Day in the National District, where hundreds of families have taken to the streets to purchase toys for the little ones in the home.
Commercial activity intensified as January 6 approached, driven by offers, discounts and the tradition of meeting this long-awaited date. This constant movement in buyers reflects the interest of families in taking advantage of prices and guaranteeing gifts on time, as could be seen in a tour carried out by EL DÍA.
Rafaelito Guzmán, a resident at kilometer 13, went with his wife and daughters to advance the purchases.
He noted that, although he perceives a slight increase in prices compared to previous years, estimated at around 10%, he considers it essential to comply with tradition. “You always have to buy them something so that the children have something to look forward to on Three Kings Day,” he told EL DÍA journalists.
Likewise, Daniel Hernández, from the Los Frailes II sector, indicated that he went out to buy gifts for children, nephews and grandchildren, making around nine children in total.
He explained that his main objective is to spend as little as possible and that his budget did not exceed 10 thousand pesos.
He highlighted that prices remain similar to last year and the purchase arose spontaneously, without prior planning as in previous years.
Sorilenio Jiménez, another of the buyers consulted in a store, stated that this year he has had to focus more on prices.
“There is not much budget to spend, but the prices are affordable,” he said.
Jiménez explained that he plans a minimum expense of five thousand pesos for six children, including children, nephews and relatives. “I bring little toys for girls and boys, and a ball for a little one,” he explained, pointing out that other expenses will be made in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Teresa Rodríguez, a resident of the Jardines del Norte sector, expressed that the prices are relatively affordable, although she recognizes that cheaper options could be found in other places. “The gifts are for my goddaughters, who are three,” he said.
As for the budget, he estimated that it could range between four thousand and five thousand pesos, depending on how far he manages to go with the purchases.
Low presence
The streets and parks of Greater Santo Domingo, particularly those of the National District, seem absent from the traditional frolic of children, who joyfully invade the surroundings with their gifts on the Day of the Holy Kings, despite the dynamism presented by the children’s goods stores.
After one in the afternoon, the public spaces looked clean, but without bicycles, balls, yo-yos, kitchen games or remote-controlled cars, nor barbies or minenes, as is characteristic on this date.
During a tour of sectors such as Cristo Rey, Capotillo, La Zurza, Villa Juana and several main roads in the National District, a significant decrease in the presence of children was observed compared to previous years, on a date traditionally marked by play and community coexistence.
According to residents and community leaders, many children remain in their homes waiting for children’s parties organized by neighborhood associations, non-profit foundations and political actors, while others do not have the necessary resources.
Toys
— More demanded
Among the most compared toys are dolls, kitchen games, skateboards, bicycles, cars and balls, items that continue to top the list of children’s preferences in the country.
Operational
—1— Activity
In the Capotillo Oeste sector, the Neighborhood Council held a children’s activity on Monday afternoon.
—2— Avoid deception
Pro Consumidor reported that it maintains active preventive supervision and surveillance operations in different provinces of the country, on the occasion of Three Kings Day to avoid deception.
