St. Nick's Day

We celebrate St. Nick’s Day. You may have not heard this holiday, but it really exists! The first time I mentioned it, I got some surprised looks and reactions from my Minnesota co-workers. They had never heard of it, and looked it up online to be sure I wasn’t making it up. To save you the time of looking it up, a brief history is summarized below.

St. Nick was known for secret gift-giving and became the model for Santa Class. The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated in many European countries on December 6, with different countries celebrating in slightly different ways. St. Nick’s Day is not widely known or celebrated in the U.S. except by people with strong Catholic or European roots. It is established in many areas with strong German ancestry (including Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and St. Louis). However, this tradition has spread among the German, Polish, Belgian, and Dutch communities through Iowa and Wisconsin.

On the evening of December 5, children and adults put their shoes or stockings out and during the night, St. Nick visits and leaves treats and small gifts. St. Nick is accompanied by Black Pete, and if the children are naughty, Black Pete leaves coal in their stockings. As I mentioned earlier, different countries celebrate in different ways (I won’t elaborate here, but look it up if you’re curious). One of the German variations is the arrival of St. Nick and Black Pete in the evening while the family is awake. Black Pete (or multiple Black Pete’s) bang on the windows and the sides of the house and after a lot of commotion and noise, a bag is tossed in through the front door containing treats and small gifts.

This is an old tradition that my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and our ancestors have always celebrated due to our German heritage and Catholic roots. We have celebrated this holiday since I could remember. When my sister and I were younger, St. Nick would come quietly during the night and fill our stockings. As we got older, St. Nick and Black Pete would arrive while we were awake, and boy, would you know it! I have vivid childhood memories of my mom, sister, and me in the bathroom and all of a sudden our house was shaking from all the pounding and noise Black Pete made. Black Pete served as a warning to behave since Christmas was coming. I must mention we were all in the bathroom because we were waiting for their arrival and followed mom everywhere because we didn’t want to be left alone in case it happened. As I got older, St. Nick and Black Pete would still come, but I also had the opportunity to be the characters and go around to all of my little cousin’s houses, pounding on their windows and delivering their gifts or coal in some instances.  Another great memory is the first year Matthew was around to experience St. Nick and Black Pete. We were watching a Christmas movie at the time, and Matt was so shaken up and surprised, he almost fell off the couch and dived to the floor like we were being bombed.

Okay, now that you have read this, you probably think our family is crazy, but we are going to continue this tradition. How can you not when it’s been in the family forever and is fun?! If you celebrate it, I would love to hear about your family's tradition(s)!  If not, it may be something you want to include in your future family traditions. We would suggest and encourage it. Love, The Crazy Christmas-loving Kramers

no coal this year!

It is tradition for us to get a new ornament from St. Nick every year. 
This year's included this lovely and very appropriate ornament,
paying tribute to one of our favorite TV shows.