Jolly Old St. Nicholas...

One of the traditions that I brought from my family was the celebration of St. Nick's day. Growing up we always got our stockings filled on the 6th of December because it was St. Nick's day. It was our recognition of the person who inspired Santa Claus, and Christmas was about Jesus' birth (although we still got presents from Santa on Christmas too). Plus it stretches out the gift giving.

So Doug and I have carried on that tradition into our home. We set spending limits (he tends to get very generous!) and keep it to simple stuff. Life saver boxes, Mike 'n Ikes, peppermint bark, blow pops, deck of cards, books, and gift cards were what we found in our stockings this year.

I must say that St. Nick's day was one of the tip offs to the game of Santa. Why did Santa come to our house twice? And only our house? None of my other friends got their stockings filled early. But I liked the tribute to the generous man who put coins and such in people's shoes at night (although I'm glad we use felt stockings instead of smelly shoes now).

Now to the true "reason for the season"!