December: St. Nick's Birthday and Pass the Gift

In European countries, it is believed that St. Nicholas's birthday is December 6th, and that this day marks the real beginning of the Christmas season. So, my mom thought it would be fun to actually throw a party for St. Nick each year on the 6th. However, as the years passed, it became difficult to accomodate so many people's schedules, in order to do it exactly on this date.  Instead we gather as a family sometime soon after Thanksgiving, as we try to still make it one of our first traditions of the season! 

The birthday celebration always consists of a delicious Christmas buffet, followed by singing and the annual Pass the Gift Game. 

Some of the things we serve at our Buffet: 

Sliced Beef Stick, an assortment of Christmas Crackers, and a Cheese Ball

A Vegetable Tray

My grandma's "famous," time-honored Meatballs

Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce

Hard Rolls with Deli Meats and Cheeses

Brie and other Cheeses

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

                                      Peppermint Brownies

And there is always a bowl of Chocolate Santas 
in honor of St. Nick

Then, as I said, we gather 'round to sing Christmas carols and play Pass the Gift. This is a hilarious game that just may bring out the worst in you! 

Each person is required to bring one thoughtful gift for their gender, or something that is gender-neutral. The gifts are placed in the center and all the guests sit around them in a big circle. 

Each person is allowed to pick one gift to open and then the game begins. . .

 My mom reads the story "Christmas with the Right Family" (see below). As she does, we listen for the words "Right" and "Left."  When she says "Right" we pass our present to our right. When she says "Left" we pass the present to our left.  But, when she reads the word "Christmas," we have to throw our gift to the person sitting across the circle from us. This is where the fun really starts- with the commotion of presents colliding mid-air, people dodging the gifts being thrown their way, and all frantically trying to figure out if everyone has the right gift before the story continues. Of course we try to be civil, but this year I did end up with a fat lip when a gift card flew at my face. 

When the story ends, the present you are holding is yours! It is especially funny when one of the men in our family gets stuck with a gift meant for a girl or vice versa. However, we allow exchanging to take place,  but whether or not you're happy with the gift you take home depends on the speed and prowess of your negotiation skills!