Around here it is St.Nic Day…
Around here it’s Saint Nicholas Day…..
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Around here we create with nothing more in mind then to bless others. We read about Saint Nicholas and we use the stories to inspire us to give without getting.
It never works. For years now we give with no want of getting anything in return…. And we fail every single year…. But we try again and again.
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Every year on St. Nic day we drop off bags of gifts And we never sign our names. It’s a ridiculous reverse robbery… We pull up and the designated “St. Nic” hops out and delivers the bag with no explanation and then runs back to the car and we drive off….
And this is where we fail at getting in return…
Every year we get to laughing hysterically when someones beard falls off and they have to run back and retrieve.
Every year people catch us giving and get to thank us profusely.
Every year the kids can’t wait to do it again…to give and to give…. They get the joy in giving.
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In this misunderstood season of get: Get pushes hard…it pushes self to the front… and I hope I can push right back with give…and I push hard, we do push hard together.
They know they can’t even eat one chocolate…we will give it all away…
There are times in life where you keep giving…even though you really want something for it.. but you give, even still… I want them to know this as truth and not a myth… I want them to be okay with that… and they give happily.
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The thing my kids didn’t know is i knew we would fail at not getting anything…and i set them up every year. A few years ago I realized that everywhere I took them Santa would be prevalent…and they know Santa is not real…so what to do? So we studied the stories of Saint Nicholas and years ago we decided to make it a day where we bless with no thought of getting anything in return. Now when they see Santa everywhere…he is not a blaring sign of how much they can rake in… But how much fun it is to surprise others in giving. Oh and boy are they ever surprised.
Each year we get so much more in return then we could ever stuff into a little bag.
Here is a post about all the Bless Balm and Lip Gloss:
Stirring and Anointing…or how to make Lip Gloss, a tutorial.
Rolo Pretzel Recipe.
Who was Saint Nicholas?
A Seed Inspired 
I love. Love. Love. this idea! Oh what fun to be surprise St.Nic to so many, I am positive this one needs to be tucked into our Christmas decorations box for next year. Since 7 gnomes is taken, maybe we can be the 5 unruly elves;)
Hilarious… Yes you can totally be the elves… I am sure your creative elves will rock it out.
T
All this time I thought that there really were gnomes. those kids are much cuter than any gnome!
Crap! Our cover has been blown!
T
Great post!
Why thank you.
T
Im not certain why but that picture of Ash running out of the church w Glenn waiving in the background had me in tears. Literal burst and then laughter. I’m sure it meant a lot. And I had no idea those were Rolos in the pretzels!!!! Omg! Yum. Thanks elves!
Oh you are welcome…
I know, ash looks the perfect example of reverse robbery,lol.
T
This is beautiful! I wish I would have thought of this when my kids were little…I am filing it in my someday-when-I-am-a-grandma file! Kathi
I am sure you did wonderful things
Your children are blessed to have you.
T
What a timely post. yesterday I gave and gave and gave….. and then ruined it all because I wanted to get in return- expected a thank you in return. Or an “WOW! Look what you did all day……” I ended up being exhausted, cranky and having to apologize. Thank you for a timely word, a great laugh and a good idea to tuck away for my little one for next year.
Well can I tell you”thank you ” for all that you accomplished?
Thank you.
You are a blessing.
T
I know I have PMS so I tear up easily.( and get cranky a little easier than what is typical) Your “thank you” does mean something. I think mainly I was hurt because I spent all day doing things that A mommy needs to do instead of doing what “I” wanted.(Christmas decorating- I am waiting on my helpers to get the boxes out for me) I am reaping the benefits tho, I had an idea to move where things were stored in the kitchen. It took emptying cupboards, cleaning, throwing away, and restocking. I am being blessed because it DOES work better. (thrilled at that I might add!)
Oh I get you!… I felt like a crazy lady from the show Hoarders when we were in the process of renovating AND putting up Christmas decorations… the kids wanted to race around and I wanted to clean up under everything… I got so frustrated…lol.
You are great person!
T
You have such great ideas on how to raise those cuties of yours into a life and spirit of giving!
Aww thanks… Sometimes we have some good ideas
🙂
T
This is such a great idea, we want to reenact it next year! Your gnomes are the cutest in town and those pics of the kids had me lauggggghhhhing. I can just hear the laughter in the car while each one took their turn. THANKS GNOMES!!!
Oh we laugh hard for sure.you are very welcome…
We look forward to it every year.
T
I love that idea of dropping anonymous gifts! That is something your kids will do with their children!
That would be wonderful… I receive it!
To imagine them sneaking up here on St. Nic day…whoa!
T
that sounds like so much fun!!!!
Oh it totally is… but it is over now.
I have tucked some ideas in the ornament box for next year.
T
Awww…so sweet…wonderful memories for your kiddos…rich memories that has eternal value…
Blessings T…
Sure does.
Thanks,
T
Oh, I love this. It makes me want to get very serious about doing something with my girls this year…giving things away instead of eyeing what we should get.
Kids truly love being involved…problem is we normally only ever involve them in the get part….
Then we wonder why they are more selfish.
T
A beautiful tradition, and lots of fun.
it was thank you for taking the time to chime it
🙂
T
What a wonderful tradition you have started with your children! Love it…thanks for sharing, T!
absolutly thanks for taking the time to encourage!
T
delightful! simply delightful! The heart of Jesus!
Thanks friend!
T
Love your place here, yep, love it.
I’ve been here before, and I’ve told you before, but you must, must hear it again.
You are doing some serious good.
Oh yes you have been here before… and I hope you come back.
Thank you for your sweet words.
T
Such a beautiful post.
And such a wonderful tradition of giving you have established with your family.
I am encouraged by your acts of selfless kindness rooted in Christ.
Well thanks Joan… I really appreciate that.
T
Beautiful pictures! Looks like s much fun!
Oh it really was thanks so much for stopping by.
T
I totally love this! I have a post I am going to publish next week about the REAL St. Nick and I would love to add a link to this for ideas on how to serve like he did. This is great!
Oh that would be lovely…
Humbled.
T
This is FANTASTIC! I might just have to start a new tradition with my girls.
Oh i am so glad.
T