NJ Kids Suburban Mom celebrates another unique holiday –St. Nicholas Day! Yes, there really was a Saint Nicholas. He lived in Greece and was a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. He was well known for giving to needy people, especially children.

The practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas. As legend goes, Saint Nicholas threw small bags of gold coins into the open windows of poor homes. After one bag of gold fell into the stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began hanging their stocking by their chimneys "in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there".  It wasn't until the 1800's that the spirit of St. Nicholas' life evolved into the creation of Santa Claus.

By Jenny Tananbaum.  Jenny Tananbaum is a writer, wife and mom to three. suburbanmom@njkidsonline.com