Anyone with kids who still believe in Santa

[justamom]

I have a WONDERFUL tradition that I would love to share. It's St. Nick's Night, Dec. 6th. This celebration has been in my family since the begining of time and is so much fun for the kids, a tad bit scarey, but that just makes it all the more fun. It brings story telling and caroling back into the home. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will go into the greatest detail so your children plus a frind or two will have a night they will never forget. Just to let you know, long after my kids stopped believing in Santa, the still believed in St. Nick!

[carnation]

Love it! And it's on our anniversary!

Please please post details!

[PKTSU01]

Please hook me up with the info yo!

[justamom]

Just to let you know, I'll write it out and keep it on file. As soon as I'm satisfied with the details, I'll send it out to anyone who has shown an interest. In the meantime- It's so exciting, that depending on the ages, you realy need to limit the guests to one or two. Carnation, with your brood, you may have enough kids to ignite the excitemet. The first time, my son was hiding under the table when IT occurred-he was laughing though. Call the mother of each guest and find out something very "special" that THAT particular child needs to work on, ie, put your shoes in the closet or don't fght with your sister,____. The more individualized the better.

[Miami1839]

This isnt exactly related but I heard on the news tonight that the New Zealanders equate Santas Saying "Ho Ho" as meaning "NO NO". LOL How weird is that. I remember those days when I believed in Santa as a kid. How grand.

[IowaHawkeye]

JAM! We always used to celebrate St. Nicks.. I miss home!
It was a tradition for each of us to put a shoe outside our bedroom door, and in the morning we would awake to find it filled with candy (like the gold foil chocolate coins and peppermint sticks) fruit to keep us healthy throughout the year, and a little trinket or two!

[PKTSU01]

DAMN IT! LET ME IN ON ALL OF THIS HOLIDAY STUFF!!!

pwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeaaaaaassssssssseeeeee!

[KillarneyRose]

JAM,
Sounds fun; please count me in!

[greeklawgirl]

I'm intrigued! Please share!

[alphachiohmy]

Originally posted by IowaHawkeye
JAM! We always used to celebrate St. Nicks.. I miss home!
It was a tradition for each of us to put a shoe outside our bedroom door, and in the morning we would awake to find it filled with candy (like the gold foil chocolate coins and peppermint sticks) fruit to keep us healthy throughout the year, and a little trinket or two!

Me too!!! My family lived in Holland when I was ages 3-6, so we always looked forward to St. Nick and loads of candy. Now, St. Nick has wised up and sends me cards and packages in the mail with bath and body works or other fun stuff. He still hooks me up each year with a gift!

[Heather]

Last night one of the kids I babysit was telling me how Santa was not real, he didn't believe in him, you get the picture. I thought that was SO sad b/c he just turned 5! (he's the oldest so I don't know where he got his info from since his little friends said Santa brought them presents.)

[SparkliiQTMTSU]

Justamom,
Iwould love to hear about this. I have two younger sisters ages 6 and 8 and love to do stuff like this with them!!

Nichole

[teke4life]

kids? I still believe in santa!

[justamom]

While I write the instructions, this is what you can be doing.

1. 2 brown paper bags. Turn one inside out and GLUE it to the inside of the other bag. This way there isn't a grocery store name visible.
2. One stick apx 8 inches long per child PLUS an extra one for the grownups. Sticks need to be kind of strong, kids get upset if their stick breaks. Plus, most will keep it like a party favor.
3. Beige, unlined paper. You may only need 2/3 of the page, but each stick gets paper for a note even the adults.
4. TWINE or STRING, but TWINE looks more authentic. (HIDE THIS)
5. Fruit 2 or 3 pieces/child-Sometimes you can find fruit that still has a leaf on it. REMOVE ALL STICKERS.
6.NUTS, lots and lots of nuts and penny candy. Once again on
the candy, try to find something they don't usually see or buy. Caramels were a good choice and of course peppermint and little Hershey's Christmas wrapped candy.

All of this must fit into the grocery bag.
If you are inviting friends, don't forget to call and find out what each child needs to work on. NOTHING SERIOUS OR PRIVATE!Have something light to eat, but in the spirit. Hot cocoa or apple cider, little sandwiches or if not diner food-cookies. This will gather the children together as you tell the story of St. Nick. I'm working on this so each can adapt it to their family.

[justamom]

I almost forgot- You must line up someone DEPENDABLE to be
St. Nick. I was St. Nick for my nieces when mine were too young to know what was going on. My sister's boyfriend was St. Nick a couple of times and we used neighbors and teenagers as well.
The teens were not as "rowdy" as the older people, but it still worked.
The important thing was to have EVERYONE at the gathering so one child could not say-"Oh, it was your Dad." or "It was your brother." All known people MUST be accounted for. When my nieces called to tell me St. Nick had visited, Hubby told them I was taking my bath.