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
Hungary
Palestine
Argentina
Iceland
Poland
Aruba
Ireland
Portugal
Austria
Italy
Romania
Belgium
Lebanon
Russia
Bulgaria
Liechtenstein
Serbia
Canada
Lithuania
Slovakia
Croatia
Luxembourg
Slovenia
Czech Republic
Republic of Macedonia
Spain
England (UK)
Malta
Switzerland
France
Mexico
Turkey
Georgia
Netherlands
Ukraine
Germany
Netherlands Antilles
United States
GreeceAmerican Santa Claus became a symbol of generosity following World War II as American troops, dressed as Santa, gave food and toys to children in war-torn Europe. This happened first in Britain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and eventually in Germany and Japan. For many it was the first time they were exposed to American Santa Claus, thus making him far both more visible than he had been before the war, and associating him with good things in children's minds. Santa's presence with US servicemen has continued in all the wars of the 20th century and into the 21st. This prominence has contributed to the demise of traditional gift-givers in many places, including even his own precursor, St. Nicholas. As Gerry Bowler states, "A French sociologist has said that Santa Claus came to Europe in the suitcase of the Marshall Plan."
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
"Saint Nicholas" in Many Languages 
St. Nicholas Statues and Images in Public Places
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Czech Republic
England
France
Germany
Italy
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Poland
Russia
Spain
Switzerland
Ukraine
