 2001 Luxembourg Christmas Stamp St Nicholas Center Collection |
 Chocolate in a shop display |
During November, St. Nicolas, known as Klees'chen, comes to Luxembourg to check andseeif the children deserve any presents. He is also found in shops where children have pictures taken with him. For days and weeks before St. Nicolas Day on December 6th, children put their shoes or slippers on the windowsill or in front of their bedroom doors. During the night, St. Nicolas may drop chocolates or other sweets into the shoes as he travels around learning about children's behavior. He also visits school classrooms.
On the Sunday before his festival, towns and cities officially welcome St. Nicolas. In some places he arrives by boat to be met by the mayor and aldermen. They escort him to the town hall, where a crowd of happy, excited children beg in verse for bonbons. St. Nicholas gives each child a bag filled with apples, cakes, and bonbons.
 St. Nicholas (Klees'chen) with his angels Photo: Luxembourg Tourist Office, London Used by permission. |
On the Eve of St. Nicholas Day, children put a plate on the table for St. Nicolas to fill with sweets when he comes with gifts. A donkey carries the toys and sweets and Nicolas is accompanied by angels or maye Housécker (Black Peter or Père Fouettard) who brings a bag of switches. In the past, Nicholas' gifts were oranges, nuts, and perhaps a pair of socks. Now, however, they might be Lego sets or even fancy electronics, as St. Nicholas Day is the primary day for gift giving.
Children discover their gifts in the morning, as Kleeschen is not usually seen. The day is so important that primary children have a holiday from school!
 Stamp with Luxembourgian food products, including Boxemännercher St. Nicholas Center Collection |
 Boxemännercher Photo: mycitycuisine |
A special St. Nicholas tradition in Luxembourg is Boxemännercher, a local pastry shaped like a stylized man, representing Saint Nicholas. He may be decorated with pieces of chocolate or raisins for eyes and buttons. The figures are made of sweetened yeast dough just for Decmeber 6th, St. Nicholas Day.
Porte St. Nicolas, Remich
St. Nicolas, revered as the patron saint of fishermen and boatmen, stands on the gate that was once the main entrance into Remich. The town sits on the west bank of the River Moselle. The gate is now at the foot of the town, on the Esplanade.
 Photo: Arthur Akkermans Flickr Permission pending |
 Photos: K. Siereveld Wikimedia Commons, Public domain |
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American Saint Nicolas in Wiltz
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