Sunday 6 December 2009

Saint Nicholas Day, 6th December.

A popular tradition in Europe is St Nicholas Day when Santa arrives, click here to discover Bavaria's Sankt Nikolaus, pictured in white in the mosaic below. A much loved piece which I acquired whilst living in Bavaria.

and here to learn more about France's Saint Nicholas.
My contribution to Mary's wonderful Mosaic Monday gathering at the little red house is two mosaics of some of my St Nicks.

The top two Santa's in the mosaic above I bought at the famous Munich Christkindl Markt about twenty five years ago.

The two Santa's in the lower half of the mosaic I found in South Carolina and Virginia.
I'm also sharing some more wonderful images and verse from my Victoria and Albert Christmas List Book for your pleasure.

"What, Father Christmas! Here again?
With Yule log on your back
And mighty store of racy things
Well stuffed within your pack".

Christmas Verse, 1848.

To read how Queen Victoria liked to spend her Christmas click on the image below

25 comments:

  1. Maggie,
    Just beautiful. Love your St. Nicks.
    Carol

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  2. Your St. Nicks are lovely. And the photo of the marketplace in Munich makes it look like a fun, but busy place to be.

    Lorrie

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  3. I never made it to the Munich Weinachtsmarkt, but visited many others, in cities and villages. Is there anything that smells better?....that combination of gluhwein and roasted candied nuts?
    Yesterday A Redbird Christmas came in to our library for me - the library is open on Sundays, so right after church.......

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  4. Maggie, loved your post about Saint Nicks. I've never been to Germany. I know you lived there for some time. I have a few of them, they are such fun. It's beginning to look like Christmas at your home, I am sure. More photos please.

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  5. Oh how I love that Bavarian St. Nikolaus. Your collection is right up my alley. Similar in style to my favorites in my collection.

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  6. Oh Maggie, how I love the white St. Nicholas! He's a beauty!

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  7. Hi Maggie. St Nicolas is a big feast in Holland.We celebrate it on the 5th, yesterday, and we exchange presents like you all do at Christmas. I don't think the other countries celebrate it like we do. I must have a look on the internet and give you a link to our "Sinterklaas" Will do that later

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  8. http://www.thehollandring.com/sinterklaas.shtml
    Hi Maggie here is the link

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  9. I love your St. Nick's. I have a rather large collection of Santa's that I started collecting when I first got married over 20 years ago. It's always fun getting them out each year and remembering where and when I got each one.
    I hope you're enjoying all the festivities of the season.
    Jane

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  10. Thank you for the delightful, wonderful links and images. How great was the Munich Christmas market?

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  11. Beautiful Santa's and wonderful mosaics. Kathy/

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  12. Maggie, love this post - really charming and interesting. Also, is that your mantel on the blog header? Beautiful and the bookcases are wonderful, too. Linda

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  13. Here in Belgium we have St. Nicholas too. The kids get their presents on that day rather than Christmas. It's the beginning of the holiday season here, since we don't have Thanksgiving!

    I'm dying to get to the Christmas markets, but it has rained EVERY SINGLE DAY since they opened--except the two days a week when I can't go. Poop.

    Thanks for these photos! They may be all the Christmas market I see this year!!

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  14. Happy Saint Nicholas Day to YOU and yours! What a delightfully FESTIVE way to celebrate. I love your beautiful photographs and the wonderful Santa mosaics! I love Mondays and usually share mosaics on all three of my blogs. This week I've shared blue Southern California skies at Sacred Ruminations, interesting shadows & flowers at Happily Retired Gal and colorful pansies at Small Reflections.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  15. Hi Maggie, these Santas are so beautiful, it's no wonder you collect them. That header photo is so very lovely!!!

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  16. Hi Maggie, thanks for stopping by my blog. You are so lucky!! Someday I hope to go to the Christmas markets of Europe: Germany for the ornaments and gingerbread, and France for the Santons. I enjoyed your post about St Nicholas. My daughter was born on St. Nicholas Day. She turned 21 yesterday.

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  17. You have wonderful St. Nicks & mosaics! Have a great week!

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  18. Hi Maggie and I'm so sorry to hear about your little dog. I hope he's doing well. What beautiful St. Nicks you have! We've been to Oslo three times and just love Norway! Although it was in the summertime. I'm sure it is so beautiful in the winter with all of the snow!
    Thank you for popping in to see me and I hope you'll come back sometimes.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  19. Maggie, please don't think I'm completely crazy! I saw the word 'Normandy' on your profile and immediately thought of Norway! I think I need some chocolate! :)
    Continue to be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  20. Great post and I love all your St. Nicks too!

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  21. Hi Maggie
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You have a lovely collection of Santas.
    Rhondi

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  22. Maggie, your Saint Nick is fabulous! What fun it would be to attend the Christmas market some year. I've heard so much about it. I think it's interesting to learn the Christmas customs of other countries. Thanks for sharing these beautiful mosaics. ~ Sarah

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  23. Oh, Maggie, you have quite a collection of St. Nick decors! I would consider them antiques! Great treasures!

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  24. Maggie, I love your St. Nicks. They are so pretty, and that photo and verse from the book are lovely. laurie

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!