Saint Nick’s Day was actually yesterday, but I felt it was more important to share the 12 Days of Love Letters on its first day than sharing this holiday and our family tradition with it. Over the years we have often celebrated Saint Nick’s Day on December 9th, sometimes the 8th, then somewhere in the last few years I finally got it together for the actual day. So, we’ll call it a flex holiday and honor it today.
Saint Nick’s Day
What the heck is that? I first heard of it through an online mom group when Mason was a baby and immediately adopted it. I love a fun holiday but I saw its usefulness in finding out what then 6-year-old stealthy Lucas wanted for Christmas.
History
“St. Nicholas derived from Nicholas of Myra and was a bishop in 4th century Greece. He was known for selling off his own items and then giving the money to the poor. He would commonly leave coins in people’s shoes and dedicated his entire life to serving people who were sick and suffering. This is how he gained his saint status, and is what inspired St. Nicholas Day (also commonly known as Feast Day or the Feast of St. Nicholas).
One well-known story of St. Nicholas involves a dowry for a father’s three daughters. In the third century, it was common for fathers to offer money to prospective husbands. However, one poor father with three daughters did not have money to do this. St. Nicholas paid for all three daughters’ dowries by leaving gold in their shoes.
As time passed St. Nicholas Day began in different ways. In Italy, this day was celebrated with feasts, gift-giving, and festivals. In other European countries like Germany and the Netherlands, children would leave their shoes or special St. Nicholas boot in front of the fireplace or front door at night and find presents in them in the morning. The history of St. Nicholas and his good deeds was part of the inspiration of the modern-day Santa Claus and Father Christmas, which is why there are some current traditions of leaving gifts in people’s boots or shoes (or stockings).”
As you can see, it is celebrated in different ways around the world, so altering it for my own family seems fitting. Here’s how we do it…
Saint Nick’s Day at Our House
On Saint Nick’s Eve, we all place one shoe or boot by the front door with our Santa Wish List rolled up inside. Saint Nick comes during the night to take the letters to bring back to Santa Claus and leaves little goodies in the shoes, typically gold coins, oranges, candy coal to be funny, etc. Small yummies. This year Willa got some Lip Smackers and I got a sweet potato.
In past years this has been extremely useful for getting my Christmas shopping done. The boys would often not want to tell me directly what they wished for but would gladly pour it out in a letter to Santa. Perfect! This year I’m 100% done with shopping and nearly everything is wrapped and under the tree, so it is more of a day of fun and something to anticipate during the loooooonnnnng wait for Christmas. To be sure she was on the Nice List, Willa adorably ran around the house before bed tidying up for Saint Nick.
How About You?
Do you celebrate Saint Nick’s Day? Do you like this holiday? How would you make it your own?
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