Couple Keeps St. Nicholas Day Tradition Alive

Before there was Santa, there was St. Nick and before there was St. Nick there was Nicholas.

Some families don’t celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6, but Mindy and Patrick Flynn would love for everyone to celebrate the holiday.

According to the St. Nicholas Center, Santa Claus originated with St. Nicholas. The man who became St. Nicholas was born in the third century in a village called Patara, which is now a part of Turkey; it was Greek at the time. Nicholas’ parents were wealthy and Christian, but they died when he was rather young.

According to the St. Nicholas Center:

Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.

Nicholas later became a bishop and was persecuted for being Christian. Stories told about him often focus on his generosity, and him being a protector of children. Dec. 6 is his feast day, which honors the day St. Nicholas died.

The Caledonia couple embroiders St. Nick bags with an emblem commemorating the day so that parents can stuff them with treats for kids who are good and the appropriate gifts for the naughty ones.

To order a bag, click here.