Christmas Tradition: Shoe in the Window

by This is Carrie on December 11, 2008

Each Saturday night in December little elves fill shoes that are placed in the window with candy. But beware, if you get greedy and put two of your shoes in the window, the elves will fill them with rocks. Believe me, I know.

{ 4 comments }

The Johnsons December 11, 2008 at 6:50 am: What a fun tradition. My Mom did that for us when we were kids (but ours were outside our bedroom door.) It is one of those memories I will never forget. It’s funny how sometimes the little things make the biggest impressions.
Annalisa December 11, 2008 at 12:45 pm: It’s actually a Dutch tradition (I am Dutch!) and goes along with “Sinterklaas”. Sinterklaas is St. Nicholas, just as is Santa Claus. Our Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands from Spain on a steamship (he lives in Madrid) with his helpers, Black Pete and his horse, Ameriko. He arrives the last weekend in November and the children actually “set” their shoes every night until December 5th which is Sinterklaas “eve”. The “holy evening”. Sometimes there is a small gift in the shoe or some candy or a mandarin orange; sometimes nothing. He brings the big gifts on the 5th. It is the celebration of the birthday of this saint, who was a very big lover of children. The children leave some sugar cubes and a big carrot for the horse! (like you leave milk and cookies).
Chloe December 11, 2008 at 3:51 pm: Love it.

I remember me and my kids being the recipients of Shoe in the Window love last year – what a great tradition!
Peter Dass January 7, 2013 at 5:47 pm: Thank you so much for teaching me about the roots of the tradition. Information like this is what makes the internet great!