Tonight St. Nick arrives....

Well tonight St. Nick is to arrive...this is when we hang our stockings and hope that he fills them with some small treats because we have been good boys and girls. Growing up St. Nick always came on the evening of the 5th. As I got older I learned this is a Catholic tradition more than anything as it relates back to the legend of the saint, St. Nicholas and how he was known as being a secret gift giver.

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia on the topic... so see I am not making this up people!!

Celebration in Canada and the United States
While feasts of Saint Nicholas are not observed nationally, cities with strong German influences like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and St. Louis celebrate St. Nick's Day on a scale similar to the German custom. On the previous night, children put one empty shoe (or sock) outside, and, on the following morning of December 6, the children awake to find that St. Nick has filled their previously empty footwear with candy and small presents (if the children have been "good") or coal (if not). For these children, the relationship between St. Nick and Santa Claus is not clearly defined, although St. Nick is usually explained to be a helper of Santa. The tradition of St. Nick's Day is firmly established in the Milwaukee, Cincinnati and St. Louis communities, with parents often continuing to observe the day with even their adult children. Widespread adoption of observing the tradition has spread throughout the german, polish and belgian communities throughout Wisconsin, and is carried out through modern times.

I hope St. Nick is good to you too as we all deserve some early Christmas cheer!!!