St Nick's Day

Boots were out.
I'm pretty sure he ALMOST brought coal.
But this is what we found that morning.

I think I like St Nick's day better than Christmas.
Is that awful to say?
The real person seems so much more relatable than the mythical santa to me, and since we're not all that religious Christmas represents a season of giving to others, generosity and hope, renewal and philanthropy, building compassion in our children and empathy for others who live in different situations.

So, the real St Nick, the guy who went around putting candy in kids shoes (he is after all, a patron saint for children), tending to the needy and hungry, seems like a good role model. I'd rather use the positive and fruitful acts of his life to inspire my kids to be do-gooders in the world, rather than warning them of the "big brother"-esque 'Santa is watching!' motivation.

Although, we're not perfect, and do pull out the Santa thing from time to time.
We're trying here though.
Baby steps.