BMS is a wonderful community full of diverse traditions, and we celebrate our rich community in lots of ways. This week, Zelda (Hickory) and Éowyn (Walnut) share their family’s tradition of celebrating St. Nick’s Day in our newsletter and for the blog!
Of European origin, Saint Nicholas Day is traditionally observed over two days, either 5 and 6 December or 18 and 19 December, depending on where you live and your community. Numerous different religious and secular traditions are associated with this holiday. For many cultures, these traditions involve gift-giving to children by St. Nick during parades and feasts or by leaving treats in their shoes or socks while they are sleeping. For some cultures, children who misbehave are visited by a Krampus-like figure or left sticks or coal instead of fun treats. In all cases, the community celebrates the previous year.
Our family’s St. Nick traditions are secular, help kick off the December holiday season, and are best described by Éowyn and Zelda:
If you celebrate St. Nick’s Day, you will put your shoes out near the front door on St. Nick’s Eve. When we put our shoes out, our parents clean the house to make sure he does not trip when he visits us. Then our mom and dad go to sleep early to make sure he has plenty of time. In the morning, we gather at the top of the stairs then head downstairs to see what he brought. Usually St. Nick brings books, toys, and other kinds of treats. Once he brought a little wooden toy train and some wooden trees. Often, these treats are holiday themed so that we can enjoy them throughout the holiday season. He normally comes at night so we have never seen him but we still think he’s real. We believe he is the brother of Santa Claus but don’t know for sure. It’s fun imagining where he could be from. It is a very fun tradition.
There will be a highlight in our newsletter with even more photos of St. Nick’s Day, so check it out next Friday! Are you willing to teach us about one of your family’s traditions? Reach out to Jess at assistanthos@montessori.k12.in.us to learn more!
