A first for jolly ol' St Nick

[Nighthawk]

In our neat little community of Green Valley Ranch, we have a community Christmas party and tree lighting ceremony, complete with professional Christmas carollers, catering, Santa, the whole works. The carollers dress in Elizabethan costume and they are very elaborate- very fun to see and sing along with. I took my kids and my ex wife's son. (My ex lives in poverty, and her kid wouldn't get to do anything like this if I didn't take him. He's a nice kid, really deserves better.) My son got sick, so I took him home- he missed Santa. I got a picture of Brent (my ex's kid) with Santa, and a picture of my wife, myself, and my daughter with him, as well. We walked up, and Santa got all kinds of excited! He'd never had his picture taken with a guy in a kilt before! The guy and his elves loved it. So I thought I would share the story and a couple pics of the whole thing.

This is myself and my little girl:



This is my wife, my ex's little boy and myself:



All in all, it was a fun evening. The carollers tried to mimic a bagpipe piece with their voices for me, and did a pretty good job. (Wow! I didn't realize how wrinkled my shirt was until I looked at this after I posted it! I have to remember that when we get our Christmas pictures done.)

[Bugbear]

Ah, ain't that sweet. It's the classic Hawk family moment right down to the wrinkled shirt.
Glad you had a good time, Nighthawk.

[Nighthawk]

Ah, ain't that sweet. It's the classic Hawk family moment right down to the wrinkled shirt.
Glad you had a good time, Nighthawk.

Yep. Things always start out well, and then just slowly slip out of my control!

[Bugbear]

Yep. Things always start out well, and then just slowly slip out of my control!

Ya, I understand, Nighthawk. But it did cheer me up to read about your family... I've been a bit gloomy since I banned myself from posting any more in that thread about cockroaches.

[Spartan]

And it was St. Nicholas' Day to boot -- (Dec 6)

Nice pictures!

[Nighthawk]

And it was St. Nicholas' Day to boot -- (Dec 6)

Nice pictures!

I did not know that! Interesting! I need to file that away in my memory for next year.

Ya, I understand, Nighthawk. But it did cheer me up to read about your family... I've been a bit gloomy since I banned myself from posting any more in that thread about cockroaches.

You are one strange duck, Ted.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . You are one strange duck, Ted.

That's why he's such a good fit with us rabble.

.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I did not know that! Interesting! I need to file that away in my memory for next year.
You are one strange duck, Ted.

If it weren't for the "strange ducks" as ye calls 'em, life would be turrribly dull!

[Galician]

And it was St. Nicholas' Day to boot -- (Dec 6)

Nice pictures!

I did not know that! Interesting! I need to file that away in my memory for next year.

It's a very popular holiday in the Netherlands, since it's the day that children are brought gifts overnight by the sainted bishop (Christmas being reserved for religious observance). Here in New York (founded as Nieuwe Amsterdam), concerts are held for this day. I attended one that day in an old manor house, first built about 1690 for the local poltroon. By the time of his death, he owned 52,000 acres stretching from Manhattan to northern Westchester.

If I'm ever successful in getting the Dutch Friendship tartan as I'd love to, it hits me as the perfect occasion to wear it!

[KiltedBrewer]

I can't think of a better St. Nick's Day activity than taking kids to see Santa while wearing a kilt!

I did not know that! Interesting! I need to file that away in my memory for next year!

Back home in Wisconsin, St. Nick's Day is like a Christmas preview. When I was a kid we all got candy and one or two small presents on the morning of the 6th. (This year my wife gave me candy and a Christmas CD.) I don't think that this is very widespread in the US, though. Most people I've met from other parts of the country haven't heard of it.

Happy belated St. Nick's Day,
David