St. Nicholas of Myra (Feast Day: December 6)

The evening before December 6, I read a book about St. Nicholas to my children. Then they put their shoes outside their bedrooms for St. Nicholas to fill in the night (usually chocolate coins and clementines or a small toy).  I read another story about St. Nicholas to the kids this morning using the peg St. Nicholas along with some other small props to help tell the story.  Then we enjoyed our spice cookies and some hot chocolate.  I sometimes read several stories about St. Nicholas to the kids during the week leading up to Dec. 6 emphasizing his kindness and generosity to others then we make the sacks together to give to our friends.

Book on St. Nicholas:

The Legend of St. Nicholas A Story of Christmas Giving By Dandi Daley Mackall and Guy Porfirio

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi


The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan

 

 Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne 

Traditions on St. Nick's Day around the world: 

In most Eastern Orthodox homes, candies, cookies, apples, small toys, chocolate coins, a small rod, and nuts are common items found in shoes on St. Nicholas Day!

In France, it is tradition to make spiced gingerbread biscuits and mannala (a brioche shaped like the saint).

In the Netherlands, the primary occasion for gift-giving is the 5th of December, when St. Nicholas's reputed birthday is celebrated. In Belgium, they celebrate Sinterklaas on the morning of the 6th of December. Young children put their shoes in front of the chimneys and sing Sinterklaas songs. Often they put a carrot or some hay in the shoes, as a gift to St. Nicholas' horse. The next morning they will find a small present in their shoes, ranging from sweets to marbles or some other small toy. Often times Sinterklaas will deliver the presents personally!

In Germany, Sankt Nikolaus is usually celebrated on a small scale. Many children put a boot called Nikolaus-Stiefel outside the front door on the night of 5 December. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts and sweets overnight, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good, polite, and helpful the last year. If they were not, they will have a tree branch (Rute) in their boots instead.

In the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, children find candy and small gifts under their pillow, in their shoes, or behind the window the evening of 5 December.

In Greece, St. Nicholas does not carry an association with gift-giving. St. Nicholas, being the protector of sailors, is considered the patron saint of the Greek navy, military, and merchants alike, and his day is marked by festivities and blessings aboard all ships and boats, at sea and in port.

In Serbia, Saint Nicholas is the most widely celebrated family patron saint, celebrated as the feast day (or Slava) of Nikoljdan.A priest will come over and say prayers for the family in honor of St. Nicholas.

In Macedonia, Sveti Nikola is one of the most popular and beloved saints in the Orthodox tradition. Koliva is made if it is the families Slava, and its is a big celebration with fish, cabbage rolls filled with rice and spice, beans, and salads for everyone. Parents may give money gifts, particularly coins, to children.