st nicholas traditions

[cgcw]

Our DS8 just told me his friend leaves his shoes out for St Nicholas. Guess what -- he wants to try it too. Well, this "St. Nick" knows nothing about the tradition and need some help. Does anyone have any suggestions on what traditions go along with St. Nicholas? Looks like we'll be starting some new ones in our house and I'd like to get it right. I'm confused as to when it is -- December 5 or 6th?? I'd feel really terrible if I was a day early or a day late. Thanks for any help!

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I found this on the web for ya . . .hope it helps . . .





In Belgium:
Saint Nicholas was born in Turkey. He was very rich. At midnight he would come out and put clothes on poor people's doorstep.
How you celebrate it:
People get presents. On this day little children get bags filled with sweets, oranges, and peppernuts.
A lot of people sing songs about Saint Nicholas:

Oh come and look at what I found in my shoe:
I got everything from the good saint.
A doll with braids in her hair
And a really cute dress.
Three balls in a net,
A letter made out of chocolate.
A top with a stick,
A box of blocks all for me.
A boy's fun. A scooter,
And a letter made out of chocolate.


Ans P., age 11
Bernadotte School
Copenhagen, Denmark




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In Poland:
The 6th of December St. Nicholas comes and gives us sweets and special cookies. On the 24th of December we wait for the first star in the sky to eat our dinner then we walk around our Christmas tree.
Weronik A., age 9
Bernadotte School
Copenhagen, Denmark

 

[Smee]

we always celebrate St. Nicholas Day. We leave our shoes by the front door...St Nick usually leave a nice piece of fruit, a few nuts in the shell (usually walnuts - my favorite!) and a candy bar.
Enjoy!

 

[BethR]

St. Nicholas visits our home too. He comes on the eve of his Feast Day - December 6. The kids leave their shoes outside their bedrooms, and St. Nick leaves some kind of candy and a Christmas trinket or two (ie: some Christmas socks).

Hope that you have fun celebrating the Feast Day of the original Santa Claus.

 

[Talking Hands]

We always celebrate this. St Nicolas comes on Dec 5 Nicolas Abend. We leave our Christmas list in our shoes by the door and he leaves small gifts, candy, fruit in its place if you have been good. But for bad girls and boys switches are left.

 

[helenabear]

We celebrate this too, but my parents were nice to us and let us leave our stockings out for him. Mostly we'd get candy and tiny toys. This year I won't be home for it so we won't be celebrating it (yes my DH and I still do this on our own w/o kids ) Our gifts are there first thing in the morning on the 6th.

 

[abaldacci]

I like this idea. I may try it with my kids.

 

[cgcw]

Thanks for all the info. I like the idea of leaving the Christmas list in for St. Nick. DS8's list is about 40 feet long. When he was younger, he'd see all the cool toys on tv and say "I want that" and I'd say "well put it on your list". This year he's old enough to read and write his own list. We are in trouble now! Anyway, looking forward to a new tradition in our house. Thanks!