Every year in the first week of December, I find myself doing the same online search, "When does St. Nick come?"
Do you always need to look up Saint Nick's Day too?
Well, here is your reminder that St. Nick comes on the evening of December 5th, making December 6th "Saint Nicholas' Day."
There are as many different stories about St. Nick as there are countries that observe the day. But most of them revolve around the idea of the generous Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Christian bishop, bringing gifts. Somewhere along the way, during the Reformation, St. Nick and Santa merged as Martin Luther tried to focus attention on Christ instead of on Saints.
If you're curious about exactly how St. Nick and Santa became one and the same, you can read more about it here. Hint: the poem "The Night Before Christmas" played a big role!
When I was growing up, St. Nick always came the evening of December 5th and filled our stockings with all kinds of goodies. I didn't know until after I had kids and talked to fellow moms that for some families, St. Nick fills their shoes!
No matter where St. Nick stashes the goodies, he still needs to do a little shopping. I like to give my kids a little treat, but they are often still working their way through Halloween candy, so they don't get too much! That means I'm always looking for non-candy stocking stuffers that also aren't just cheap plastic toys either.
Here are 10 ideas for non-candy stocking (or shoe) stuffers!
- Tape (This is a staple in my daughter's stocking. And Easter basket. And any other gifting opportunity!)
- Art supplies
- Special outfit (or jammies) for Christmas Day
- Christmas socks
- Lip balm
- Special ornament
- Small notebook and multicolored pen to keep in the car
- Small toys like Polly Pockets and Tonka Tinys that can be carried in a little pocket or mom's purse
- Earbuds
- Christmas/Holiday books (or try this fun Holiday Book Countdown)
Happy St. Nick's Day!
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