Alrighty ladies and gentlemen. Since I told you that you could share the holidays you celebrate in December with me, I thought I’d be fair and tell you all about the second best holiday in December. No, not boxing day. But could someone remind my husband that Boxing Day is an official holiday and I’d really like a new Michael Kors watch.  Or a new piece of jewelry. Okay I’ll take a $10 Chipotle gift card.

The holiday I’m actually referring to is St. Nick Day! If you’re one of the lucky people that hail from a small area in Wisconsin, you may already know about this official unofficial holiday. If you’re not, you probably enjoyed your winter holidays without trudging uphill, in ten feet of snow, both ways, without snow boots, on your way to school. Because that’s what Wisconsinites do. And you better believe if we ever procreate I will tell my children all about the hardships I endured. The hardest thing they’ll have to do is sit in traffic on the 280 when it’s sprinkling in the winter. Spoiled brats.

Okay back to the point. St. Nicolas’ Day is December 6th (he visits during the night on December 5th). Traditionally, children in Europe would put their wooden shoes either in front of their chimneys or outside of their front door. The next morning they would find sweets, toys, or fruit inside. Fruit was a big treat for them, being that there was ten feet of snow outside (just like my childhood in Wisconsin, without the wooden shoes). The German, Polish, and Belgian Catholics are mostly responsible for keeping this tradition alive, which makes it more understandable that it’s celebrated in Northeastern Wisconsin. There’s a Catholic church on every corner. I praise these people who passed this tradition down, because I get more presents. Earlier than Christmas. Win win.

So let me spell it out for you: St. Nick Day is essentially the same as getting presents in your stocking on Christmas morning, only instead, fast forward three weeks. I love it. Another holiday to celebrate? I’m all over it.I always fill Brendan’s stocking with a bunch of crap he probably doesn’t want or need. It’s harder for me, because he doesn’t eat desserts. No cookies, no candy, no sugar. Depressing. Since my husband is no fun, here are a few ideas for your man:

The idea is to not spend much money. An average stocking is less than $10 (which is why I love the Dollar Spot @ Target). Or maybe that’s just because this tradition hails from Wisconsin, and let’s be honest, Wisconsinites tend to be cheap. Or is it just my family? Have I been ripped off this entire time? 😉