There are two days in Advent that we still open presents other than Christmas Day, on St. Nicholas (Dec 6) and St. Lucia (Dec 13) days.
Saint Nicholas was born during the third century and both of his wealthy parents died during an epidemic while he was young. The story goes that he used his entire inheritance to help the needy and sick. He became a bishop and was always known for his generosity. December 6 is the anniversary of his death and when the holiday is celebrated. Typically we exchange small gifts and put out our wooden shoes (Belgian tradition) for golden chocolate coins.
The story of Saint Lucia is a little more confusing, because there are separate traditions in Scandinavia and Sicily based on the same saint, however, they both incorporate light (lucia/lucy means light) and gifts. In Italy St. Lucia brings gifts to good children. With Pete's Sicilian heritage we celebrate with the exchange of small gifts.
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| Opening chocolate coins - Charlotte's favorite part. Her coins were all eaten that day. Marin, however, still has a few coins left as of today, December 19. |
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| Chocolate - yeah! |
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| Opening her Cinderella glass slippers that she has patiently been waiting for since her birthday in July. |
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| Marin was excited to get a pair too. |
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| Pretty fancy |
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| C with her house that she built, and of course her Cinderella shoes are on. |
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| Happy St. Lucia Day |
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| Not the best picture, but Daddy broke the rules this year of exchanging small gifts. Inside that box is a Vitamix Blender - something I have been wanting for years!! I was completely surprised. |
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| Later that day my new blender at work. This is a smoothy with kale in it that is completely smooth! |
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