St. Nicholas Day

As a family, we have a few of our own traditions at Christmas time. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, we wake up to find our wooden shoes have been filled with goodies! Yes, we put a wooden shoe on the kitchen table at the place where we eat, and something surprising is in each one when we come to breakfast in the morning.

This is a Dutch tradition, and because my husband is of Dutch descent, we began this fun way to celebrate Christmas a few years ago. Our son especially enjoys it. The trick is to find something small enough to fit in the shoe. Chocolates work well, as do gift certificates or CD's.

This custom came about to help keep Christmas Day more of a religious nature, especially in Europe, where the families attend church on Christmas Eve, and remember that Christmas is Christ's birthday.

Christmas Games

My husband used to be a Sunday School teacher, and every year we had his class over for a party, on a Saturday close to Christmas. We played games like "Pass the Orange", seated in a circle on the floor. The orange is rapidly passed from person to person, while Robert played rapid Christmas carols on his guitar. The one who is holding the orange when the music stops, is out of the game. The person left holding the orange last, is the winner! He wins a small prize.

Another favorite German game is; "Find the Dill Pickle on the Christmas Tree". The dill pickle is a shiny, green, glass ornament. Before the boys arrive, it is hidden somewhere on the Christmas tree. The boys gather around the tree, and whoever spots the pickle first is the winner! They just love this game.

We usually did a craft, and had a quiet devotion time, where the true Christmas story was explained simply. One year, the boys decorated 5 sugar cookies each, and heartily ate them. They also watched a video, and sang Christmas carols.

Tree Decorating

 I used to feel such excitement when Christmas time drew near! My family always purchased a real Christmas tree, about two weeks before Christmas Day, from Simpson Sears garden centre. Because my Mother was afraid it would catch on fire, it would stay in the cold basement for one week, in a bucket of water. Then with great anticipation, my Dad would take it back outside, and in through the front door, so the pine needles wouldn't drop all over the floor. What a noise and scrambling took place, as we all tried to decorate together!

My Dad was appointed to be official tree light "stringer". This was the most difficult job, but he did it neatly and precisely, while we waited anxiously. It seemed to take so long! At last, he was finished, and it was our turn. My patient Mother had divided the ornaments into equal piles, and we raced about, trying to place ours in the best spots on the tree. Mom always handled the very delicate ones; especially "Martha", an owl ornament from Germany, made of thin glass and very old.

Christmas Eve

Ever since I was a little girl, we have opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. We were always so anxious and excited, we could hardly eat our supper! We had to dress up, and have our hair combed, then our picture was taken beside the tree, with the most intriguing looking present clutched in our hands. By that time, I and my sisters were palpitating with anticipation!

At last, the moment came, and what a ripping, tearing, squealing, shrieking and oooing and aahing  went on! There was paper and ribbon scattered all over the room. Our Dad meekly cleaned up afterwards, carefully folding the intact pieces of paper, and putting them away until the next year. (recycling at its best!)

We usually had a snack after, before tumbling exhausted but happy into bed, and looking forward to the next morning, when we would open our stockings, which we had hung on the fireplace mantel.

Christmas Day

Our family still continues the tradition every Christmas Eve. Now we take turns gathering in each others homes. There isn't as much squealing, but there is still great anticipation and excitement, especially with the children! We try to have a mini program beforehand, with Christmas carols, the reading of the Christmas story from Luke, and special performances on various instruments, by those who can play them.

Our schedule varies on Christmas Day. Sometimes we take turns having dinner at each others homes, and one year  we tried going to a fancy restaurant for a buffet style dinner. That was very expensive, but fun for a change! Afterwards, we spend the day quietly in our own way, and sometimes watch a video, or simply visit with the family.

Our most exciting Christmas so far was in 1997, when my nephew, James, was born on Christmas Day! He was a sweet surprise, and we have not forgotten that time!

Our family has special recipes for baking, some of which are a secret. (such as "Jam Jams") If you would like to check some of our favorites, click here.

Have a Merry Christmas, no matter how you celebrate!

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Christmas 2000

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Page created December 18th, 2001
Updated 2009
Copyright L. H. Houben