St. Nicholas lost his parents at a young age and inherited their wealth. While still grieving for his parents, Nicholas decided to return something back to God for all the blessings he had received from Him. He chose to use his fortune to serve God by helping the poor. In one famous instance, he learned of a man with three daughters who couldn’t afford dowries for them. Without dowries, the girls risked being sold into slavery. Nicholas, moved by compassion, decided to help them in secret. He tossed three bags of gold coins through an open window (some even say down the chimney). The next morning, the grateful father found the gold and was able to provide for each of his daughters. Some say the gold landed in their stockings or shoes, which is why some cultures hang stockings and some cultures leave out their shoes to be filled, in remembrance of the great Love that inspired Nicholas’s generosity. Nicholas believed that, “Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.” (James 1:17). He also believed that God could use him to deliver those “best gifts” to others.
Nicholas was later ordained a Catholic priest and then consecrated bishop of Myra. He continued to serve as an example of following Christ, having given up everything for the love of God. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian, Nicholas was imprisoned. The Life of St Nicholas tells us, “He was imprisoned and suffered greatly for the sake of Christ. But the Lord, in His great mercy, gave him a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared to him in prison, comforting him and promising that he would soon be released." Indeed, when Christianity was decriminalized with the Edict of Milan, Nicholas was set free. When the Blessed Virgin appeared to Nicholas, she gave him a book of the Gospels. This gift comforted Nicholas, who had given so many gifts to aid and encourage others.
Hundreds of years later, we can still follow the example of St Nicholas. Think of all the blessings in your life, and resolve to spread joy and faith to others around you. “You’ve been #StNicked” is a great way to start. A simple gift can brighten someone’s day, and delivering it in secret makes it even more fun!
#StNicked instructions:
You’ve been #StNicked is a fun way to spread joy and faith leading up to Christmas. To pass it on to someone else:
- Prepare a small gift or treat – a cookie, candy cane, hot coffee, bottle of wine, or candle. Three oranges are traditionally used, as they represent the three bags of gold St. Nicholas gifted in secret. You can even give a book to encourage someone who is facing a challenge, like the one Nicholas received. Any simple gesture of kindness can help spread joy and faith during this holy season.
- Add this paper or make a copy
- Hide your gift where the recipient will find it
- Post “You’ve been #StNicked” and tag @partylikeasaint. The hashtag will help promote the trend so more people will know the excitement and love of being St Nicked!
You’ve Been St. Nicked! A Sweet Fundraiser for Our School 🎁
This Christmas season, bring the joy of giving and surprise to your school community while raising funds for school's programs and initiatives! Our You’ve Been St. Nicked fundraiser is an easy, fun, and festive way to spread holiday cheer—one sweet treat at a time.
How It Works:
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Purchase the St. Nicked Tags: Support the school by purchasing our downloadable You’ve Been St. Nicked tags and instructions. Each download includes printable gift tags and a sheet explaining how to participate.
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Make the Treats: Students, staff, or parent volunteers can prepare small, simple treats or gift bags (think cookies, candy, or small snacks) to sell as part of the fundraiser. Attach the "You’ve Been St. Nicked" tags to each treat, along with a sweet message of holiday cheer.
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Purchase and Send: Students and staff can purchase a treat with a tag attached and "send" it to a friend, teacher, or colleague, surprising them with a fun treat delivery. Each treat comes with a note encouraging recipients to “pass on the cheer” and join the fundraiser by purchasing their own sweet treat for someone else.
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Surprise Deliveries: On a specified day, treat deliveries (with their attached St. Nicked tags) will be made to students and staff around the school, bringing joy and spreading the holiday spirit. It’s like a sweet version of a holiday telegram!
What’s Included in Your Download:
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PDF #1: A festive page with detailed instructions on how to run your You’ve Been St. Nicked fundraiser, including tips for organizing treat sales and delivering surprise goodies.
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PDF #2: Printable “You’ve Been St. Nicked” tags, pre-arranged for easy cutting. Add your personal holiday message to the tags, then attach them to the treats for a sweet surprise!
Why It’s a Win-Win:
- Easy to Organize: The fundraiser is simple, inexpensive, and easy for students and staff to participate in. Plus, it brings everyone together in the spirit of giving!
- Fun Surprise: The surprise element adds an extra layer of excitement as students and staff receive their unexpected treat deliveries, creating a fun and festive atmosphere throughout the school.
- Supports Your School: All proceeds from the sale of the You’ve Been St. Nicked treats go directly to supporting programs, supplies, and community initiatives.
Start a new holiday tradition and make this Christmas season extra special! It’s a sweet way to fundraise, spread kindness, and celebrate the joy of the season.
Tips for Success:
- Engage Parents and Volunteers: Ask for parent volunteers to help package and sell the treats.
- Theme the Treats: Encourage students to create or bring in holiday-themed treats (like cookies, candies, or hot chocolate mixes) to keep the festive spirit alive.
- Set Dates for Deliveries: Choose specific days to deliver the treats to build excitement around the surprise.
This approach turns a simple idea into a community-wide event that’s fun, engaging, and effective at raising funds for the school. Would this work for your vision?
Shop today at https://www.partylikeasaint.com/collections/youve-been-st-nicked-collection