A first for jolly ol' St Nick

**Galician** · 8th December 08, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan

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

Nice pictures!

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

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!

**Mr. MacDougall** · 8th December 08, 10:04 AM

I'm just waiting for someone to post a photo of a kilted Santa.

**Ian.MacAllan** · 8th December 08, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. MacDougall

I'm just waiting for someone to post a photo of a kilted Santa.

It has happened; see post #3 at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...lexandria+walk
Note that he's a piper also.

.

**Nighthawk** · 8th December 08, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Ian.MacAllan

It has happened; see post #3 at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...lexandria+walk
Note that he's a piper also.

.

That is awesome!! Now he needs to get himself a kilt in Royal Stewart and he'll look perfect!!

**KiltedBrewer** · 9th December 08, 10:53 AM

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

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

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

**Spartan** · 9th December 08, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedBrewer

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

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

We made a point to have our kids put their shoes out by the front door. They would get filled with little goodies. If they hadn't been good, they received a lump of coal. We never could find the coal. Didn't need to. We also did something special for them on Epiphany (Jan 6), so that everything didn't fall on Christmas Day.

It happens that our oldest was baptized on St. Nicholas' Day.

**Galician** · 10th December 08, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedBrewer

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

At the concert I mentioned above, I met a woman also from Wisconsin, who also described their observance of this celebration. I assume that it was started by the large number of Dutch settlers who settled in that area. I have been given to understand that Des Peres is so named due to the monastery of Canons Regular founded there from the Lowlands.

**macwilkin** · 10th December 08, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

At the concert I mentioned above, I met a woman also from Wisconsin, who also described their observance of this celebration. I assume that it was started by the large number of Dutch settlers who settled in that area. I have been given to understand that Des Peres is so named due to the monastery of Canons Regular founded there from the Lowlands.

Wisconsin (like much of the upper Midwest) has a large number of German, Austrian and Swiss settlers, and all three also celebrate St. Nicholas' Day.

Todd

**Galician** · 10th December 08, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Wisconsin (like much of the upper Midwest) has a large number of German, Austrian and Swiss settlers, and all three also celebrate St. Nicholas' Day.

Todd

Yes, I know, as do many Eastern Europeans. I had thought, though, that the tradition of this being the primary day of the season for gift giving was practiced more by the Dutch than by other nations.