[SWTXBelle]

pj - we always put up our tree on Dec. 6th - St. Nicholas' Day (and talk about St. Nicholas). We use the Playmobil Advent Calendar with the nativity scene (it was from a few years back - the new one this year has a forest scene with Santa Claus). We have a Fontanine Crèche - the Wise Men are exiled to the dining room, and make their way to the manager on Jan. 6th (Epiphany). My children also know that they get oranges in their stockings to represent the bags of money (gold) that St. Nicholas of Myra threw into the drying stockings of the three impoverished women so they would have dowries. We use an advent wreath, and discuss the Christian symbolism of the holiday trappings. As to Santa Claus - when asked if he really exists, I always turned it back on them "What do you think?". Once they are old enough to say "I think it is you!" then we can discuss what Santa Claus represents, and how we follow the example of St. Nicholas and the many other saints of God when we give not only to our loved ones but to others (as soon as they can reach the kettle, my children give to the Salvation Army ringers). I hate that for the first time we can't adopt a family from the Angel Tree. Money is that tight . . . and my children will have their stockings filled with small gifts, and one each from Santa. By the time they have received one from various family and friends they will have more than enough gifts.

Back to the story - it's horrible. Beyond horrible. I'm with the previous poster - I'd have arrested everyone who didn't stop but went barreling past to get that must-have toy or geegaw.