Saint Nicholas Day has come to be one of my favorite Advent traditions.  It is a bright and celebratory spot in the waiting weeks of Advent, and it reminds us of a man of faith who loved, and brought joy to, children.  There are many great resources about Saint Nicholas:

Saint Nicholas Center – A site packed full of information on “the original Santa Claus,” with lots of information on Saint Nicholas, and ideas for activities, food, and other ways to celebrate.

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend – This story elaborates on the idea that Saint Nicholas’ good works and generosity all stemmed from his love for God.

The Baker’s Dozen – My favorite St. Nicholas Day story, about a baker who learns to be generous and open-hearted the hard way.  The illustrations in this book are stunning.

In past years, we have done homemade gifts for all of our kid friends, and delivered them on Saint Nicholas Day, with a little note.  Since we have a new baby in the house this year, I wanted to keep things simple, yet still find a way to share this day with our friends.  The SaintNick Treat Bag Topper is for you to use for your own celebrations, or as a simple way to share this day with your friends.

Simply fill the bag with treats; some traditional items include clementines, or gold chocolate coins, symbolizing Saint Nicholas’ generosity; and a candy cane, to symbolize his Bishop’s crook.  In addition to these treats, Saint Nicholas always leaves a new pair of socks for each of my kids.

Enjoy this feast day, and the spirit of generosity that it brings in the midst of a quiet season!

SaintNick Treat Bag Toppers.