(I imagine that the Elf looks something like this.) In our house during the month of December, the left shoes of children are placed by the front door each night. If you've been a good boy or girl during the day, the next morning you might find a little something in your shoe from the Elf.
When I say little, I mean little. Like a quarter. Or a stick of gum. Or a sticker. Or the crowd favorite - a little box of cereal like they have for continental breakfasts at hotels.
Some mornings one child may have an empty shoe. Some mornings all three children have empty shoes. Some mornings the shoes are empty because the Elf was really tired the night before and just forgot.
This tradition is a carry over from The Hubby's childhood. In my childhood, which was spent in Germany, our shoes went out on St. Nikolaus Day (Dec. 6th) and we always got some goodies mixed with switches - because no child is good ALL the time. I figure this tradition is a good combination of our two childhoods and a great gauge for the kids to see how their behavior is shaping up for Santa to come! It also takes the place of an advent calendar, which I haven't ever done.
Unfortunately, my kids are now spreading the news of the Elf around their school. I think this means there are kids putting their left shoes out in houses where I'm hoping parents are getting in the know quickly!
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
7 comments:
What a fun tradition!
We used to put out our shoes for St. Niklaus day, too. We always seemed to get clementines, nuts and some candy. We were lucky enough to never get lumps of coal!
Oh, I love this. What a cute idea. Maybe it'll make my son more of a morning person for this month!!! We have a Christmas book that has a bible verse and a Christmas story to go with each day. We read it every night before they go to bed.
I am looking forward to St. Nikolaus coming in a few days!! We always go Christmas Caroling as a family, sing the same songs, and present our friends with a yummy assortment of Christmas goodies! Tomorrow night we are going into D.C. to start a new family tradition--the tree lightning ceremony!
We are Advent Calendar fans (with chocolate)! We also have one that tells the story of Jesus' birth in 24 parts we read while the chocolate is being eaten.
We celebrate St. Nicholas day on the 6th with stockings. Lastly we let the kids play with the playmobile creche and read the Christmas books which only come out for the month of December.
Your Christmas elf is very special...especially on sugared cereal mornings!
Your hubby had the neatest traditions growing up. Thanks for sharing this neat little tradition with the rest of us!
What a great idea! I have never heard of that, but I love it!
I listed one of our Traditions today on my blog-sleeping in tents in the playroom for the month. The boys love it!
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