In many places St. Nicholas is the main gift giver. His feast day, St. Nicholas Day, is December 6, which falls early in the Advent season. Some places he arrives in the middle of November and moves about the countryside, visiting schools and homes to find out if children have been good. Other places he comes in the night and finds carrots and hay for his horse or donkey along with children's wish lists. Small treats are left in shoes or stockings so the children will know he has come.
Where St. Nicholas is prominent, his day, not Christmas, is the primary gift giving day. Parties may be held on the eve, December 5th, and shoes or stockings left for St. Nicholas to fill during the night. Children will find treats of small gifts, fruit or nuts, and special Nicholas candies and cookies. St. Nicholas gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for oneself.
Customs Around the World
Albania
Greece
Poland
Argentina
Hungary
Portugal
Aruba
Iceland
Romania
Austria
Ireland
Russia
Belgium
Italy
Serbia
Bulgaria
Lebanon
Slovakia
Canada
Liechtenstein
Slovenia
Croatia
Luxembourg
Spain
Czech Republic
Republic of Macedonia
Switzerland
England (UK)
Malta
Turkey
France
Netherlands
Ukraine
Georgia
Netherlands Antilles
United States
Germany
Palestine
St. Nicholas and American Christmas Customs
Waves of European immigrants brought cherished St. Nicholas holiday traditions. How have these influenced today's popular holiday customs in the United States?
Find St Nicholas Churches all over the World
St. Nicholas Statues and Images in Public Places
Belgium 
France
Germany
Monaco
Netherlands
Poland
Russia
Austria
