[ahnasmom]

My mom called me last night and reminded me of this holiday. My family has Eastern European (Czech & Russian) roots and when we were little we celebrated the Feast Of St Nicholas. This holiday was celebrated in Russia for many years but Communism did not allow the celebration. Although it is a religious holiday, I thought maybe some of you would be interested. (I hope no one takes offense.)

St Nicholas was a children's saint. Children would put out a shoe on the eve (12/05) of the Feast of St Nicholas (12/06) and if they were good children, in the morning there would be simple gifts in the shoe. There was usually fruit and snacks included along with the toys. A feast would follow. I'm not sure if this is how everyone celebrated it, but was how my Great Grandmother, born in what is now the Czech Republic, taught our family.

There is some info regarding this and other Christmas celebrations around the world at Christmas.com. I can't believe we forgot about this last year but plan on starting to celebrate this year with our daughter, now 28 months old and loving the whole Christmas present idea.

Karen

[HappyMomAnna]

My husband was born and raised in Austria---we will be attending the Feast on Saturday---it should be interesting for me---no one will speak a word of english!!!! Thank you for a little background info---getting it from my mother in law has been, well difficult to say the least!

[HappyMomAnna]

We attended the Feast of St. Nicholas on Saturday--waht an experience...... Wow.

I had no idea what to really expect--my husband wore a funny looking jacket I had always wondered why he had in the closet---It was traditional Austrian garb.---
The children made little projects and presented a play (thank God some of this event was actually done in english) and everyone sang songs for what semmed like forever---as soon as darkenss feel everyone started to sing loudly--and louder--and louder when all of a sudden St Nickolas enterd from the back of the room!

He was dressed in all white and had a long white beard....but, behind him was the 'Krumpus" (spelling?) Something that looked a lot like the devil--he had chains and bells and carried a branch of twiggs....

Then St Nicholas called each child forward--parents had provided a list of wrongs and rights to St Nicholsa as he is not magic and cannot see you be 'naughty or nice' and he started with the naughty things.....for english children he spoke english--for german speaking children my mother-in-law translated. When St Nicholas read the naughty things the Krumpa shook his chians and bells and swatted the branch--really scary and he would start to come toward the child---but, before he got there St Nicholas would start to read the NICE....and Krumpas slowly retreated to a corner.......

When the children were done with St Nicholsa (who spent about 10-mins with each child mostly talking about the nice---he would give them a gift bag willed with candy, nuts, fruit, and a small girft. And then each child approached the Krumpas and gave him something from their bag--as a gft of appeasment!

The whole thing was a trip!!!

I can see where we have taken some of ths for our Santa---but, the only thing even close was the beard--I guess since it happens so early in the Month it is not so close to Christmas that a child would mix things up---there was Nothing else really that related to Christmas about this event.

My mother-in-law tells me that Austria celebrates this--but Germany does not. And that Austria has connections to Russia which is why.

I guess we will go in the future and our daughter has been invited to be part of the chorus and learn the songs in German.

[ahnasmom]

I posted this last year and thought some of the newer folks might be interested.....we are doing it again this year on Sunday night with both kids....

One thing I forgot to mention in the original post was if the child had not been good...coal was left in the shoe....I had this one year when I was 8 or 9!

Here's a song ....

Counting on St. Nick
One, two, three, four
[Count using fingers.]
Is that St. Nicholas at the door?
[Cup hand to ear.]

Five, six, seven, eight
[Count using fingers.]
I hope St. Nicholas won't be late.
[Look at watch.]

Eight, seven, six, five
[Count using fingers.]
Quick, he's coming--let's go hide.
[Hide face behind hands.]

Four, three, two, one,
[Count using fingers.]
Look! A surprise--oh, what fun!
[Pretend to hold surprise in hands.]

--Susan Jordan

Here's a neat website...this goes to one page about the Czech Republic but the site has customs for many countries...

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=84

[stern]

I am so glad you posted this!
I am from Germany and we celebrate 'Nikolaus Tag' every year. Now that we are in the US we rotate from celebrating an American Christmas one year and a German Christmas the other, but we are celebrating Nikolaus Tag on Dec 6 every year

[Waiting4Skip]

Thanks so much for posting this, and for the link to the website!

Judy

[grannymac]

When I was a little girl we learned about St. Nicholas from the nuns and celebrated on Dec 6th. Our stockings were hung on Dec 5th before bedtime, and St Nicholas left us fruit and a little candy. Although I've never forgotten St. Nicholas I didn't carry on with the tradition with my children.

[GCS]

I'm from Holland and we put our shoes (yes the wooden kind) out every year for St Nick. Sam and Sophia will be doing it this year. My mom went home to Holland for a few months this summer and brought me a beautiful pair for them that will be filled with fruit, sweets and small toys in a few days!

Christina

[HappyMomAnna]

Well last night we attended the St Nicholas Party with the Austrian American Club.... The children made crafts, and put on some plays... The German Children Chior sang and Makaylah will be joining after the first of the year....St Nicholas and The Crumpas came and the children spent some quality time talking with St Nicholas about the things they need to work on and the things they are doing soooo well... None of the kids were taken this year by Crumpas....

We ate some wonderful treats and sang all the songs of the Holiday. St Nicholas talked about the coming Holiday of Christmas.. Both about the birth of Christ and about the Santa Clause....

....after we all went out as a family for dinner...

Tonight the children will put their shoes out....

[Waiting4Skip]

Perhaps a dumb question, but...

Does it matter WHERE you put the shoes?

Judy

[HappyMomAnna]

.....sorry so late!

I guess it might depend on which country but, the Austrian Amerian club puts the shoes out in front of the front door....

St. Nicholas was a real person "a Bishop" and his good work was to help by giving food and nuts to the children... The shoes were usually kept outside because they were dirty so he put thes gifts in the shoes.

[Waiting4Skip]

Anna,
Thanks for that explanation!

Judy

[Waiting4Skip]

We didn't get the post about leaving it by the door until this morning, but Skip was thrilled nonetheless:

Judy