Today is Saint Nicolas. Yes, we celebrate this in the family. Basically it means kids get sweets and gifts in (or around) their boots.
Strangely enough, I only remember one Saint Nicolas from my childhood. And it's not the usual "I got up excited and found many presents in my boots" kind.
When I grew up I spent a lot of time at my grandmother's apartment. My father was (he's retired now) an engineer on ships, so he was away often - for months at a time. During his absences, my mother and I were spending a lot of time at my grandmother's - she lived with one of my aunts, and it was quite fun being there all together.
So this one Saint Nicolas we were staying at their place. And I don't remember how old I was, but I already knew there is no Saint Nicolas who brings gifts and stuff. So what I did is that I took oranges & sweets I found in the house, and put them in all the shoes I could find. My mother's, my aunt's (and she had plenty of shoes!!) and my grandmother's. I am not sure what they really thought when they found oranges and in their shoes, but they seemed surprised (duh!) and quite amused and happy about it.
I think since then this is what brings back "Saint Nicolas spirit" for me: oranges and sweets in and around boots.
Yup, this sounds as if I had a "slightly" weird childhood. I actually think it was pretty awesome...
