'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Well, it's hardly the night before Christmas, but with the leaves now turning color, you know that the holiday season is just literally around the corner. The poem known as "The Night Before Christmas" was first introduced in 1823 under the name "A Vist from Nicholas", which was a tribute to St. Nicholas, a figure that dates back as far as the 16th century. St. Nicholas barely survived the early years in Europe, but the common people loved him so that they kept his spirit alive by leaving nuts, apples and sweets in shoes left by a bedside, on windowsills or before the hearth. Eventually, through the years St. Nicholas continued to thrive, especially when people migrated to the New World. He was kept alive by those who loved and believed in him and still do to this day. It's these traditions that we need to remember when we are purchasing Christmas Gifts & Gift Baskets for our friends and loved ones in the months to come. For that reason you may want to have a personalized gift basket for those you love instead of something that is bought just for the sake of having something to give. Making each gift truly personal is one way to keep the spirit of St. Nicholas alive.