December 4th is Santa's List Day
by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table®
One great way to celebrate Santa’s List Day is for your whole family to sit together with a cup of cocoa or eggnog and make up their wish lists. Yes, of course, you can discuss the naughty or nice component, but it’s always more fun to embrace this day as a kick-off for the Christmas season. As you can see below, you have another reason to celebrate on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day! Since the practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas, this is the perfect day to make a stocking, or to hang your favorite stocking with your name on it!
If you need a tad of inspiration, click below for some tips from Kimberley Thompson’s note to Santa…Dear Santa, Love, Kimberley.
There is nothing that gets me in the Christmas spirit more than creating all sorts of homemade decorations, flower arrangements, and of course the yummy treats and drinks. Below, Reba Berge provides you with a simple flower arrangement, that will make Santa sure to smile! Santa Wine Bottle Suit-just click on the link for her flower design recipe!
How about some temptations for Santa’s reindeer? Test taste this Reindeer Bait, with this recipe from Mimi Levin. Okay, here is one more fun way to practice making the goodies you’re going to leave for Santa! How about this fabulous dessert recipe = Rosy-Cheeked Santa Claus from Cakes for Kids by Juliette Lalbaltry
Photos and links are also below.
If you and your family are on a roll and want to add another great tradition to your Christmas merriment, how about celebrating St. Nicholas Day, since it’s December 6th! Read below for the traditions of St. Nicholas!
PS. December 6th is St. Nicholas Day!
Since the practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas, this is the perfect day to make a stocking, or to hang your favorite stocking with your name on it!
Date When Celebrated: Always December 6
St. Nicholas Day is today. Yes, there really was a Christian Saint Nicholas. He lived in the country of Greece, just a couple hundred years after the birth of Christ. This day is in honor of Saint Nicholas and his life.
Saint Nicholas became a priest, and later, a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. True to the Christian concept of giving up belongings and following Christ, St. Nicholas gave up all of his belongings. He was well known for giving to needy people, especially children. There are many stories and tales of him helping out children in need.
The practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas. As the ancient legend goes, Saint Nicholas was known to throw small bags of gold coins into the open windows of poor homes. After one bag of gold fell into the stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began hanging their stockings by their chimneys "in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there".
It wasn't until the 1800's that the spirit of St. Nicholas' life evolved into the creation of Santa Claus. And, this happened in America. Santa Claus emerged (or evolved) from the stories and legends of St. Nicholas. Santa Claus was kind and generous to the children. Unlike "St. Nick", Santa Claus is largely a non-religious character.
Have a happy St. Nicholas Day.