Growing up with a European influence in my family, we celebrated St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Many know St. Nicholas as Santa Claus, but the modern-day Santa doesn’t quite reflect the historical patron saint of children.
St. Nicholas of Myra, born in 280 A.D. in Asia Minor, became an orphan at a young age. His parents left him a great fortune, which he used to give anonymously to those in need. He eventually became the bishop of Myra and passed away on December 6th, which is now celebrated as Saint Nicholas Day.
Legend has it that the tradition of leaving shoes or stockings out for St. Nick comes from him secretly throwing bags of gold through a window to help a man unable to afford dowries for his three daughters. This gesture saved the daughters from a potential life of hardship, solidifying St. Nick’s legacy as a giver of gifts.
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated globally, including in Orthodox, Catholic, and sometimes Protestant communities. Our family’s way of observing this day includes a mix of cultural traditions related to St. Nick.
In countries like Greece, Albania, Serbia, and Bulgaria, people honor St. Nicholas on the evening of December 5th, a day known there as Saint Nicholas of Winter. It’s a day marked by fasting and sometimes a midnight feast, rather than gift-giving. Children leave boots by the fireplace for St. Nicholas, often filled with treats for his horses.
In France, St. Nicholas arrives on December 6th with small gifts and chocolates for children. Families share stories of St. Nick, including a well-known tale where he saves three children from a butcher, highlighting his role as a protector of children. The story also features “Père Fouettard,” a character who punishes misbehaving kids by leaving coal or whipping them.
Our family’s holiday tradition draws from these celebrations. In Germany and Austria, children leave out a boot for St. Nicholas to fill with small toys or candy. There, St. Nicholas is often depicted on a horse, accompanied by Krampus, a terrifying figure from Germanic folklore who punishes naughty kids.
December 5th is also Krampus Night, when people dressed as Krampus roam the streets, scaring children. Despite the spooky stories, there’s a cheerful way to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. We mark it as a day of giving, highlighting his generosity by performing random acts of kindness in our community.
Our tradition involves leaving a shoe out on December 5th for St. Nick to fill. The lesson of St. Nicholas inspires us to bring joy to others, whether through sharing food, donating, or other thoughtful gestures. We even started a traveling St. Nicholas tradition to spread kindness.
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day is a heartwarming way to welcome the holiday season. Whether you observe this day or not, embracing acts of kindness is a wonderful way to embody the spirit of Christmas. Happy St. Nicholas Day from our family to yours! Do you celebrate St. Nicholas Day? What traditions do you follow?
