St Nicholas Day, 19 December 2013

This is the day the long stretch of winter holidays begins, and by my count it runs through Christmas, New Year, the old New Year and Epiphany before anybody goes properly back to work.

The first of them is the smallest and belongs entirely to the children.

Schools and hospitals here take it seriously too, and a great many organisations arrange gifts for children who would otherwise not find anything under a pillow. That part of the custom is worth more than the sweets.

Happy St Nicholas Day.