Photo was taken yesterday at Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

Traditions are very important at this time of year. In Col√°iste Choilm the annual Christmas Cake & Baking Display takes place around the feast of St Nicholas. An enthusiastic teacher is always a great starting point and so Ms.Dewhurst gets students to use their creativity in coming up with their Christmas idea. The train in our photo was made by 1st year student Grainne Holmes. It looks fantastic and uses simple ingredients like a swiss roll, biscuits, chocolate fingers and a bit of creativity to come up with a lovely display.

Thought on Thursday – December – 06/12/2012

‘Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives themselves by thought or word or deed; who shares their joys with those who are sad; whose hand is never closed against the needy, whose sympathy is quick and genuine in time of trouble and who lives their life throughout the complete year in the Christmas spirit.’ ~ Edwin Osgood Grover


Today (Dec 6th ) is the feast of St Nicholas. He came from a wealthy family and decided to give all his money to the poor. He always did so quietly and without fuss. He would drop some gold coins down the chimney of those who were really poor. People wondered who the generous donor was. One day someone found out it was Nicholas. His name and fame began to spread to many countries and so Santa Claus as we know him today came into being. We give gifts at Christmas because we know deep within that it%u2019s good to express our love for those who are special and important to us. Thanks to Nicholas, Santa is alive and well. Our world would be such a darker place without his inspiring presence.