My wife's family, they put the names into a hat and keep pulling out and putting back till they get a relative they WANT to buy for.

 

My wife rigs her family drawing. She does not put in the names of the two people she wants and says she already drew her names.

Not that unusual, my family has always done that too. Since you know the story of St. Nicholas is the basis for the eventual change of Sinterklaas into Santa Claus.

 

I'm from Eastern KY, she is from the Louisville-area; I had never heard of it.

 

It's something like on the 7th (or around there) of December, St. Nick comes and fills up your stocking with a gift. But then the celebrate Christmas normally.

 

I don't know, I had just never heard of it, or anyone that celebrated it until I met her.

We used to, but, the family has grown soooo much. Now, PH and I buy for each other, we get something for my parents and his mom, and then PH and I will both get something for my brother. We get something for Sarah...the youngest of the foster children (20) and the rest of the children draw names...we had 13, so, us getting for Sarah leaves an even 12 of the rest of the kids....then, all the foster kids will purchase something for all the kids who have had kids....Mary has 3 and Sarah has 1...so, all 13 buy for 4 children....we get stocking stuffers for the 4. It can get pretty confusing at times LOL

We draw on the wife side of the family.

I'm from Eastern KY, she is from the Louisville-area; I had never heard of it.

 

It's something like on the 7th (or around there) of December, St. Nick comes and fills up your stocking with a gift. But then the celebrate Christmas normally.

 

I don't know, I had just never heard of it, or anyone that celebrated it until I met her.

 

 

Are there many Catholics where you are from? That might make a difference although St. Nicholas is much more popular in the Greek Orthodox church.

Are there many Catholics where you are from? That might make a difference although St. Nicholas is much more popular in the Greek Orthodox church.

 

Is it more of a Catholic thing or a German thing? We always did the Dec. 7 thing, but I was never sure if it came from my German Lutheran mom or German Catholic dad.

We used to draw names, but since myself and the other grandkids are mostly all adults now, we do the while elephant thing (or whatever it's called when everyone picks from a communal gift pool and you can steal a gift away from the person who picked before you).

Is it more of a Catholic thing or a German thing? We always did the Dec. 7 thing, but I was never sure if it came from my German Lutheran mom or German Catholic dad.

 

 

Well St. Nicholas hailed from Constantinople, so I am not 100% sure. My fathers grandparents did come from Germany, so that might make a difference.

Well St. Nicholas hailed from Constantinople, so I am not 100% sure. My fathers grandparents did come from Germany, so that might make a difference.

 

It seems to match up roughly with the date of the Nativity Fast in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, if you adjust the date to account for the old calendar, give or take a few days here and there.

Are there many Catholics where you are from? That might make a difference although St. Nicholas is much more popular in the Greek Orthodox church.

 

Lol. I only know of two Catholic families where I grew up.

 

I guess it should be noted that my gf's family is Catholic.

Lol. I only know of two Catholic families where I grew up.

 

I guess it should be noted that my gf's family is Catholic.

 

German Catholic?

We draw names for christmas eve and we only draw kids names. Each person gets 2 children ( there are a lot of kids). Then Christmas eve day we each buy a $20 unisex and then we do the pass around game with a goofy story that has you passing in all directions. Then when the story is over....we draw numbers and start with the highest and go backwards so its good to get a way low number then as the people start opening you have a chance to take theirs or open yours, if you open yours you are out but people can take it. Its a long process but fun.

German Catholic?

 

Her mother's side is German, father's side is English.

We did for some years,but not anymore as the families have their own Christmases now as we.

Are there many Catholics where you are from? That might make a difference although St. Nicholas is much more popular in the Greek Orthodox church.

My brother's girlfriend is (Catholic) from Germany. I believe that is how they do things as well.