Saint Nicholas Day

This day is the feast of Nicholas of Myra with particular regard to his reputation as a bringer of gifts. It is observed either on the 5th or 6th in Western Christian countries There are different traditions depending on the country. In Germany and Poland, boys traditionally dressed as bishops and begged aims for the poor. In Ukraine and Poland, children wait for St Nicholas to come and to put a present under their pillows provided that the children were good during the year. Children who behaved badly may expect to find a twig or a piece of coal under their pillows. In the Netherlands, Dutch children put out a clog filled with hay and a carrot for Saint Nicholas’ horse. On St Nicholas Day gifts are tagged with personal humorous rhymes written by the sender. In the United States one custom associated with Saint Nicholas Day is children leaving their shoes in the foyer on Saint Nicholas Eve in hope that Saint Nicholas will place some coins on the soles.