... and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there... It's an old German tradition that on the night before St. Nick, you hang out your stocking, put your Christmas list inside, and then as you sleep that night, St. Nicholas comes. He takes the letters and then fills the stockings with goodies.
This was a favorite tradition of mine, growing up in San Antonio, Texas. My German grandfather delighted in joining our family every "St. Nick's Eve" so he could hang his pillowcase with our stockings. He always threatened to stay up all night with his 20/20 shotgun in hand to make sure St. Nick left all the goodies for him. Sure enough, every year we would wake up on St. Nick morning to find our stockings overflowing with candy, toys and trinkets... and Paw's pillowcase was filled with sticks, rocks and coal. Year after year, the exact same thing happened. And year after year, we kids never grew tired of it. My grandfather always knew how to make everything so fun and magical. I cherish the memories I have growing up with St. Nick and I love that my children are creating their own tonight and every year on this special night...
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