Sometimes discovering the traditions and customs of your new country can lead to a lot of questions (and accusing glares) from the two Small People in our house… Like why on earth hasn’t St. Nicholas ever visited before??
They found out about this Patron Saint of around a million things (including thieves, sailors and children) thanks to friends at school, and of course found the fact that he brings sweets and presents to fill the boots or shoes of good children rather appealing! Luckily they believed my explanation about him not having time to visit Denmark and England, so his friend Father Christmas brings extra presents instead on Christmas Day (or on Christmas Eve in Denmark) to make up for it!
Funnily enough they weren’t quite as keen on a visit when we read that they must first clean their boots or shoes themselves before putting them outside (you will note from the photograph below that not a lot of effort was put in to this part, Small Boy even chose his wellies as a very easy option!).
Both also looked vaguely worried about the description of Krampus (I kept the pictures to myself as he is actually quite petrifying, I certainly wouldn’t want to bump into him on a dark night!) who accompanies Saint Nicholas in these parts, dishing out coal and birch twigs instead of nice presents to those that have been bad. However, both decided to go ahead anyway out of fear of missing out!
We also discovered that the house must be cleaned thoroughly the night before, which I didn’t actually think was very fair as St Nicholas doesn’t even actually need to come inside, and I cannot find any references to presents for the Mother.
However despite all the work this particular visitor does actually have some very good points… Having both carefully placed their (not very clean) boots outside, they both went straight to bed without issuing so much as a peep, in case he heard that they weren’t asleep and decided not to bother leaving anything!
He also writes each child a letter praising their strengths and any exceptionally good behaviour, but always signs off by pointing out what can be improved upon the following year before his next visit!! As any parent of young children will probably tell you, any help in that respect is a bonus, and with the added extra of them getting an early night, Saint Nicholas is definitely more than welcome to visit our house next December too!
What awaited the very excited Small People this morning! You will note that Saint Nicholas resisted the urge to include a couple of twigs as well, which was probably just in case Small Boy actually thought they were part of his present, he’s always been partial to lugging them around!
They will actually meet him at school today which they are very excited about. I just hope he’s left Krampus behind…
Pia says
how lovely to be able to give your children bits of different cultures and customs! there couldn’t be any better education! Saint Nicholas sounds like a very sensible saint :)
bavaria says
Thanks Pia…. I agree that he is very sensible, even if he does carry around a gold staff that is not at all practical :)
Midlife Singlemum says
I love reading about all the different traditions – thank you.
bavaria says
I am pleased about that, because there are plenty more to come :) x
Florence says
Wow, Krampus is so much more terrifying that our Dutch black Pete! Eek!
Glad you’re enjoying new traditions as I am missing the Dutch ones terribly over here. Big hug to all. xxx
bavaria says
He truly is isn’t he. Luckily he didn’t go to school with St Nicholas to meet the children. R loved meeting him and said he had a really nice golden book. Sam was less impressed and said he had a fake beard because you could see the hooks behind his ears!! :) xxx
Kelloggsville says
I knew about this tradition from friends that do it. But do the tails you spin every worry you?! I got into an awful tail spinning fix about the tooth fairy once! I also think leaving gum boots outside goes beyond the cleaning problem, he was probably sharp enough to realise they were the biggest shoes he had :)
bavaria says
Yes, I do worry about that. It’s got to the stage where presents from Father Christmas are wrapped in totally separate paper and the tags are written in my left hand too. It’s all down hill from now on!! I also think you are very right about the shoes. They didn’t want to leave their much smaller trainers or school shoes out did they?? :)
Isil says
Your kids are lucky as they get to learn and experience all these traditions in different countries. I am sure they will remember these fondly when they grow up. As I mentioned to you before,I lived in Germany until 7 yo and I LOVED St.Martinmas (sp?) when you go out with the lanterns. Would love for my kids to experience this,however as fas as I am aware it’s not widely celebrated here in UK.
xxx
bavaria says
Thank you Isil… I hope they think so one day too, and they don’t curse us for imposing all these traditions and customs on them from around the world! I remember St.Martinmas from when I was little here. We bought lanterns and everything this time around, and then both of them were ill so we couldn’t go. They have been placed on a shelf for next year. Did you also have the St Martins feast like they do in Denmark as well? Thanks for your comment, hope you are well! Emma :)