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Our St. Nicholas Evening

After our afternoon of giving we came home and read another story about St. Nicholas and discussed the different ways he morphed into Santa Claus over the generations. Maiden was especially intrigued by the links- such as the Spanish tradition that he came on horseback- through the streets and even up on roof tops (the beginning of the flying reindeer).
While the kiddos had quiet time I went to work creating our special St. Nicholas dinner. I trimmed a bit of our evergreen hedges out front and dug out an old box of figurines I hadn’t touched in years. I inherited my grandmother’s ceramic Santa collection after her death-a collection that includes many different countries portrayals of him in ages past- figures not of Santa but of St. Nicholas. I am so very glad I kept this special set.
Here is what I created:

First I placed the figurines where I wanted them and then I arranged the cut greens around that. So simple and such a lovely affect.
For dinner I pulled out our red and green plates and napkins and fun Chirstmas cups. The kids were all so tickled to see the finished project and just about tripped over themselves to help me finish supper and set the table with miscellaneous Christmas serving dishes filled with good eats.
Right after supper Maiden and I had to scoot- I had worship team practice and she had a sewing lesson at Nana’s. Daddy pulled out our new puzzle we had set aside for this month and he diligently plugged away at it while Sassafras and Mr. Conductor “helped” here and there. After Maiden and I arrived safely back home we read our next chapter in Jotham’s Journey, talked more about St. Nicholas Day and then the kiddos headed to bed as I prepped for today and Mr. Steady continued to work and work and work on that puzzle. Once he gets going- well, he needed his wife to remind him it was time to turn out the light and come to bed!
This was our very first time celebrating St. Nicholas Day and we are definitely making it a tradition. I found so much more information on St. Nicholas Center about incorporating different ideas into our celebration that I just had to stop reading as I was overwhelming myself. I printed off a few ideas and placed them in our Christmas binder. Instead of trying to do everything at once I think it will be better to start slow and add a little bit more each year.  This year we had special food, set out our wooden shoes, gave away nice clean toys, learned a bit obout Ol' St. Nick and had some wonderful family time.
A very full day.

I really like the display!

12:54 PM, 2006-Dec-7 .. Posted by Tinakay

Very nice. I have been doing a little Santa Claus lesson for Madison. Brings some fun in for school. It was so hard for us. We didn't want her to believe in Santa Claus. But my hubby side of the family kept telling her he was real. I had to keep telling her that he wasn't. This year I found a little something on St Nick and where he was born. Now she gets it.
I hope you have a great day!

Tina Kay