Lately I’ve been thinking about the concept of traditions and culture in my stories. Culture can make your world building more authentic because even the most modern groups have elements of culture. It’s also December, and I’ve been watching Hallmark Channel like crazy so I’ve seen several different families sitting around a tree , and opening presents on a bright Christmas morning. My parents always had us open our presents on Christmas Eve after we went to church. I always remembered thanking my parents for the items that filled my stocking. I never really believed in Santa. 

I did however believe that Saint Nicholas put small things like bags of candy in my shoes. I have no idea why I believed a ghost decided to come back from the dead,and leave small things in children’s shoes. I guess that always seemed more realistic to me because it was things that fit in a shoe ,or stocking. I had never heard of people getting a gaming system or something huge in their shoes for Saint Nicholas’ Day, but depending on the parents’ income the gifts could be wildly different. 

I don’t remember when my parents quit putting gifts in my shoes for Saint Nicholas’ Day, but even though I don’t get gifts in my shoes on during the night of December 5th I still think about it every year. I think about how I put my shoes by the door, and going to bed. Then I woke up in the morning to trade candy or toys with my siblings. I guess it really does go to show that it isn’t the amount of money spent on someone, but just the fact that you took the time to think about what small joy you could bring to someone’s day. I like to think that’s what Santa believes is the spirit of the holidays.