Dutch Postcard St Nicholas Center Collection

A simple St. Nicholas Day celebration adds a bit of welcome festivity in the early days of Advent. It provides an opportunity to tell the story of St. Nicholas, a man of faith whose goodness and generosity grew out of his love for God. It enriches our understanding of Santa Claus by showing the real historical person who inspired the familiar legend and traditions.

So tell a story of St. Nicholas' generous example of giving in secret to those in need. Then encourage children to identify a kindly "Nicholas deed" to do for someone else. Have children fill their shoes with pieces of carrot or bits of hay for his white horse or donkey. Place shoes outside bedroom doors or on the hearth. See that a candy treat (a candy cane represents Bishop Nicholas' crozier) and simple gift appears by morning on December 6th.

Have a party. The Dutch give simple gifts accompanied with elaborate riddles and/or wrapped in fantastically deceiving ways, such as a pen inside a hollowed out carrot or something small nested inside multiple boxes and wrappings.

A Party: Introduce St. Nicholas to other families
Ideas for Saint Nicholas shoe treats
Families tell how they celebrate St. Nicholas
Christmas in July! A St. Nicholas Activity Afternoon
St. Nicholas Name Day

HELPFUL IDEAS FOR FAMILIES FROM BOOKS & ARTICLES
Background & Customs
Letters and Treats for St. Nicholas Day, a German custom for families from Living on Both Ends
The Feast of St. Nicholas, helpful background for families from The Gift of Time
Will the Real Santa Please Stand? Inviting Saint Nicholas Into Our Christmas from Again Magazine
St. Nicholas' Day . . . in Austria & America from Around the Year with the Trapp Family
St. Nicholas, the Children's Friend: a Belgian tradition for December 6 by Ade Bethune
Meet the REAL Saint Nicholas background to help parents teach children about the real St. Nicholas
Good-bye Santa! Hello, St. Nick! one family's experience from ALTERNATIVES

Decorations
Decorations for Saint Nicholas Day from A Merry Christmas Herbal
A Wreath for St. Nicholas Day from Caprilands Herb Farm

Ideas for Celebrating
The Custom of the Shoes, ideas for a visit from St. Nicholas from The Gift of Time
St. Nick's Day Stocking, an idea from Abbey Press
Celebrate St. Nicholas at Home from St. Nicholas: The Wonder Worker
Celebrating St Nicholas, ideas from A Book of Feasts and Seasons
Celebrating Saint Nicholas Day: Invite Saint Nicholas into Your Home, Gifts from Saint Nicholas, A Wonderful Family Tradition from Advent, Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church
A Man Named Nicholas from A Way of Life
A simple story for pre-schoolers
Restoring St. Nicholas Day—at Home from A Way of Life
Saint Nicholas Day: An Herbal Celebration in the True Spirit of Christmas from The Herb Quarterly

Prayers
Advent Wreath Prayers, focused on saints from My Friend Magazine
St. Nicholas Day Blessing from Blessings for God's People
A service of blessing for use in home, classroom, or parish settings
St. Nicholas Day Blessing of Candy Canes
More Prayers

Resources for Celebrating St. Nicholas

ACTIVITIES • CRAFTS • RECIPES • PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES • SONGS

LINK
Some Ideas to Help Keep this Feast of St. Nicholas in Catholic Homes from St. Michael the Archangael On-Line