Do you do the St. Nick Tradition?

Does your family celebrate the St. Nick Tradition? I assumed everyone’s did, but I am finding out many do not know about him, especially in the United States, so I just wanted to take a second to explain in my own words.

St. Nick visiting is an old German Tradition my Mother always did for us kids, even as we got older. On the Eve of December 5th, Us kids would put outside our bedroom door our shoe or boot, or hang our Christmas Stocking so St. Nick could fill it with goodies!  This usually included a nice little note letting us know if we had been Naughty or Nice and what we needed to improve on. (Of course always signed St.Nick) If you have been extra naughty, you would not get any goodies, just a lump of coal. (And yes, I had a few years of Coal)

I think St. Nick is a great thing to start as a family tradition for a few reasons. The first being, Kids get sooooo excited for the holidays, it is a nice way to settle them down a bit with just a few little goodies and trinkets. It is also a nice tradition they will carry on with their family. My grandmother did it, my mother did it, and I also did this for our son. It is a great way to help build your Childs self esteem, When you write the letter, of course there will be a few “Need to improves” on there, but you can sandwich these comments with praise and appreciation for wonderful things they have done through out the year! Playing nice with their siblings, sharing, helping out around the house, etc.

Another idea I have heard others suggest is making December 5th a family get together, Instead of using their shoes or boots, pick up some of the plain old Red and White Christmas stockings and decorate them as a family event that night, then have them hang them out for St. Nick to fill and leave his special little note in!

Now…Who has heard about the Christmas Pickle? Oh the FUN we have with that on Christmas Morning when it is hidden in the Christmas Tree!

~ Micki
Midwest Coupon Clippers
http://www.midwestcouponclippers.net
Visit us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/WisconsinCouponClippers