Christmasy topics

[neith_seshat]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "corinthum" <kkearney at s...> 
wrote:
> GulPlum wrote:
> 
> > Between the beginning of Advent and Christmas, there is of course
> the Feast 
> > of St Nicholas (6th December). Our family "borrowed" a tradition
> from the 
> > French for this feast whereby children wake up to find their shoes
> filled 
> > with fruit and sweets. 

> Hey, someone else who celebrates St. Nicholas Day!  

I think it is also a tradition in the Netherlands, where IIRC, St. 
Nicholas is a Spanish bishop who gives presents to good children and 
brings bad ones back with him to Spain(Please correct me if I'm wrong)

As a Spanish, our traditions until recent times differed from others. 
We celebrate January 6th,the Epiphany, when the Three Wizard Kings 
bring presents to children (and older people, too).

Children write their letters to their favourite King, and the Royal 
Postmen bring them to the East, where they live. (It's really nice to 
see my cousins doing so).

The day before, there are parades in every town or city. For 
instance, in my city there is a really big one with camels, horses 
and everything. It's wonderful for children, who get there to see it 
and wait for hours.

Then, we go home and leave something for eat and drink for the Kings 
and Camels (nougat, some whisky, bread and water for the animals),
and wait for presents for "good" children. If they have misbehaved, 
they will have coal (sweet coal) instead.


Is there any other countries where this tradition is observed?


Neith