Saint Nicholas

   

Yesterday was the Feast of Saint Nicholas in the Catholic Church. As you probably know, Saint Nicholas was a real person renowned for his great kindness and generosity, and he's the origin of our modern day Santa Claus. You can read more about the real Saint Nicholas here.

It is still tradition in many European countries for children to leave their shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, expecting to find small gifts and candies in the shoes when they awake on December 6th. I love any reason to celebrate the joy of giving and start a family tradition so I've filled the boys' shoes with goodies for them to discover when Mario returns from preschool and Sam wakes from his nap.

 
I look forward to watching their faces light up with delight. And they won't even know I'm a day late!

Comments

[Amy]

So cute! The boys will love it, I'm sure! We always had St. Nicholas when I was little and I love being able to continue the tradition with my little ones! Yesterday they both woke much earlier to see what was left for them...

[Andrea - Faded Plains]

How darling their shoes look all packed up with goodies...it's little things like this they'll remember always.

[Lori]

that is so cute!!!

[Sybil]

So sweet! We always got the treats in our stockings in my family when we were young and so I follow that tradition with my girls. Your little guys' shoes are too cute, though! All filled with chocolate. Yum!

[Jeni]

What a great tradition. I bet your boys were so happy to see their shoes overflowing with treats. So cute.

[gabrielle]

Adorable post, Andrea! I am sure those two sweet boys were thrilled! Oh, and I wanted to ask you before, what size does Sam wear in Livie and Luca? I somehow have 2 pairs in the same style and color of size 8. I wanted to ask you before SB and then bring them.... totally forgot! If he can wear them, you can have them for him. They are the same style as the ones up there, just green and tan. Oh, and our tree looks gorgous!! Love those candles!!! and is that the banner you were talking about? Prettty!

[Deborah]

i absolutely love the shoes! and the tradition is very fun!

[elyse]

hi andrea,

what a sweet tradition! i had no idea. thanks for sharing.

xo

[Karen Dodson]

Awww! How sweet!! And look at their little matching shoes!! SO cute!!

[Leah C]

I can almost hear their squeals of delight! Sounds like a wonderful tradition your children will love:)

[Tamara]

that is so sweet! We have lost a little of our dutch traditions but......we still have our CHOCOLATE LETTERS :)

[bettyann]

how sweet.. my friend debbie de wilde from the netherlands talked how they celebrate this special day... Sinterklaas....drdewilde.blogspot.com

[Boxwood Cottage]

So nice to see you celebrating St. Nicholas too Andrea! We always did it here in Germany and as a child I always tried to stay awake and see him, but I never got around to stay awake long enough, my mom must have had long nights in those days lol. I'm sure your cute boys loved it! I had lot's of fun altering papier mâché Santa boots for my niece and nephews and filling them up with chocolate Santas and candies.
There is a picture of it at the end of my last post in case you'd like to see it.
xoxo Carola

[sadie]

That's such a lovely thing to do. I bet the boys will be thrilled as they scoff down their choccy!

xx

p.s glad you are a fellow snaffler!! ;o) x

[jill]

haha! I have two children left at home (three all together)and I still fill their shoes on St. Nick's. I also was a day late this year (wellllll, I got distracted when my baby had a Sadie Hawkins dance to attend) and THEY didn't even notice!!! I always give a tree ornament and candy.

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

So sweet, Andrea!

[Julie Ann]

Ohh! That's so cute :) I bet they were delighted!!

[Andrea Villarreal]

Really cute idea! Love their little shoes:) Geez it's cold here in Virginia!!

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Awwww....so darling Andrea! Im not familiar with that tradition. Well, Im also not Catholic. LOL!!! I hope you took photos of the boys expression. You must share for us to see. :) XOXO,Jenn

[amy]

We also celebrate St. Nicholas day. I have a Nicholas (age 9) who loves that it is his day!! When he was little he really thought it was a day just for him and would get mad when his big sisters got surprises in their shoes too. We use wooden shoes on the hearth!
Amy

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

When we lived in Europe my daughter used to do this. Sweet shoes.

[Holly Abston]

This is such a sweet and fun tradition.

[kim]

I now pass this tradition on to my grandaughter. My parents always celebrated St. Nicholas Day in the same way. Only difference? We put candy, nuts and fruit (to signify a healthy and prosperous new year ahead) in Christmas stockings...shoes may have been too dirty, or stinky! :) None-the-less, the tradition stays with our family since my grandparents brought it with them from Chezchosolovakia.

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