Feast of Saint Nicholas

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to those who celebrate. We do as it is the feast day of my DS. It all started when DS went to 1st grade and came home telling me that he and his classmates (the entire school actually) put their shoe outside the classroom. They heard bells throughout the morning and when they heard the bells stop, they peeked outside and inside their shoes were candy, stickers and pencils. He loved it and of course it was even bigger to him as the teacher explained that St. Nicholas Day was also Nick's feast day. Every year since and another school later, it is still done. What a great tradition!!!

So I decided to put a spin on it the following year. I started the tradition at home and it was the start of something my kids so look forward too. At first it was cookies Mrs. Claus baked or candy canes or maybe an ornament or small toy because DD was so small and wasn't even school age at the time. It was also the time when my kids knew if they were on Santa's naughty or nice list. Of course, they are always on the "Nice List". I have perfect kids!!! ROFL!!!

I have gotten creative over the years. I have gotten more age appropriate over the years. They also don't know when the small gift bags will appear. Sometimes when they wake up in the morning, sometimes after school, sometimes before/after dinner, etc. This year, I got them each a small game and candy. I also plan on getting them each an ornament. It has been a couple of years since I purchased new ornaments and I need some new ones to spruce up the tree this year. The tree is getting overtaken with "homemade" school ornaments. It needs something else so I will trek out to the Dollar store or CVS later to get those to place in the bags. This year, it will be before dinner. I love the anticipation and this year I will be cruel. Last year, the bags were waiting when they arrived home from school. This year, it will be just before dinner. LOL

I realize by doing this, my Christmas spirit starts to shine through. Up til now, I have been a bit of a Scrooge. I am not really bah humbugging, but I am sick of the commercial/material aspect that is on t.v., in every newspaper, magazine and even the net. This small tradition kind of puts things into perspective and I see the season more through my kids' eyes than my own.

We are getting our tree on Saturday (we get a real one) and then we will decorate that and the rest of the house on Sunday. DH has been very busy at work and I hate having him drag boxes from the attic late at night. I have also been trying to keep on top of the housework and figure this weekend is the best weekend as we don't take things down til after New Year's anyway. The outside is done so we just need to get ready inside. :)

I have managed a little stitching and hopefully in the next day or so, I will post a picture. It has been hard to blog everyday as I am trying to get stuff done. I know you are all in the same boat. I will try my best to get entries posted every few days or so.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to all of you!!!