Being in another culture for their celebration of Christmas is, indeed, a unique experience. While we miss our own traditions with our families in Michigan, we will enjoy some new traditions while in Slovakia.
On the night of December 5 all the children clean their winter boots. After they are cleaned, they put them in the windowsill. Now, if they have been good and/or their boots are clean enough, they will wake up in the morning with a bag of candy, fruit and nuts inside their boots! If they aren't, there are many other things for the naughty kids with dirty boots (coal, rocks, little nasty devil shaped chocolates).
The stores were loaded up with chocolate Santas, chocolate Saints that I didn't recognize and chocolate devils. Tons and tons of chocolates and candy!! The night of Dec. 5, on my daily Tesco run, I thought for sure it must be Christmas eve early- the crowds were heavy. I have never seen such giant bags of peanuts in bulk and crates of oranges and tangerines. But it was St. Mikulas eve - a huge holiday tradition here that brings warm memories for most.
The night of December 5 we made sure J & A washed their boots and put them in the windowsill. Sure enough, the next morning they had their bag of treats! School on December 6 had some special treats for the kids and appearance by St. Mikulas (St. Nick).
Anya's boots.....
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