Celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas: A Joyful Start to the Christmas Season

The Feast of Saint Nicholas, marked on 6 December, is one of the loveliest early-season traditions in the Christmas calendar. 

Although more commonly celebrated on the Continent than in the UK, it’s a wonderful feast day to embrace at home, especially if you’re looking to add a little extra magic, kindness and old-world charm to the run-up to Christmas.

Whether you have children, grandchildren, or simply enjoy marking the season with meaningful rituals, Saint Nicholas Day offers a gentle reminder of generosity, compassion and festive warmth. Here’s how you can bring the celebration to life in your own household.

Who Was Saint Nicholas?

Saint Nicholas of Myra was a fourth-century bishop known for his extraordinary generosity, humility and willingness to help those in need. Countless legends surround him, from saving families from poverty to secretly delivering gifts to the poor. 

Over time, these stories shaped the modern figure of Father Christmas and Santa Claus.

Celebrating his feast day is a lovely way to weave historical tradition into your festive season, giving children and adults alike a deeper understanding of where many of our Christmas customs come from.

A Charming Tradition: Shoes at the Door

One of the most recognisable Saint Nicholas traditions is placing shoes or boots by the fireplace or front door on the eve of 5 December. Children (and often adults!) wake to find small treats tucked inside:

Clementines

Chocolate coins

Gingerbread biscuits

A little toy or trinket

A handwritten note of encouragement or praise

It’s a gentle, exciting moment that doesn’t rival Christmas Day itself, perfect for building seasonal anticipation.

Celebrate with Simple, Heart-Warming Activities

1. Bake Speculaas or Spiced Biscuits

These traditional spiced biscuits are associated with Saint Nicholas across Europe. Baking them fills the home with the scent of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg – the unmistakable smell of Advent.

2. Read Stories of Saint Nicholas

Sharing tales of his kindness is a brilliant way to introduce children to the roots of Christmas giving. Books and online resources abound, and you can tailor stories to different age groups.

3. Enjoy a Small Gift Exchange

A modest gift exchange on 6 December, based on thoughtfulness rather than expense, helps keep the focus on kindness.

4. Light a Candle for Kindness

Lighting a candle on Saint Nicholas Day is an invitation to practise generosity throughout December. Challenge family members to carry out “one small act of kindness” each day until Christmas.

5. Support a Charity in His Honour

Given Saint Nicholas’s commitment to helping those in need, this is an ideal moment to:

Donate food or toys to a local appeal

Support a homelessness charity

Offer time or assistance to neighbours

It’s a powerful way to celebrate the true meaning of the season.

Make It a New Family Tradition

You don’t need to be part of a religious household to enjoy the customs of Saint Nicholas Day. It’s a celebration rooted in kindness, storytelling and simple joy. Many UK families are rediscovering this feast day as a lovely way to pace the season, adding a meaningful moment in early December before the Christmas rush fully sets in.

It’s also a wonderful tradition to share on social media or incorporate into children’s Advent calendars, helping the younger generation appreciate the origins of festive giving.

The Feast of Saint Nicholas is a charming, timeless tradition that brings warmth and generosity into the heart of the Christmas season. 

By adopting even one of these customs, you’ll add a beautiful and meaningful pause to the festive calendar.

If you’re looking for a way to slow down, savour the season and remind everyone at home what Christmas is really about, Saint Nicholas Day is a perfect place to begin.

The True Origin of Saint Nicholas: The Man Behind Santa Claus

The jolly, red-suited Santa Claus who visits chimneys every Christmas Eve has become a beloved global icon. 

But his origins are rooted in the life of a real person: Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Christian bishop whose acts of kindness and generosity inspired the legend we know today.

Saint Nicholas: The Historical Figure

Saint Nicholas was born around 270 AD in Patara, a Greek city in what is now Turkey. Born to wealthy parents, he was deeply religious from a young age. 

After losing his parents to an epidemic, Nicholas inherited a considerable fortune. Rather than indulging in wealth, he chose to use it to help those in need, guided by his Christian faith.

Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra (modern-day Demre, Turkey), where he gained a reputation for his unwavering generosity and commitment to justice. His acts of charity often involved helping those in desperate situations, and he became particularly well-known for anonymously giving gifts or money to the less fortunate.

The Famous Legend of the Three Daughters

One of the most enduring stories about Saint Nicholas concerns a poor man with three daughters. In those times, a dowry was essential for marriage, and without it, the daughters faced a grim future—possibly even being sold into servitude. 

Hearing of their plight, Nicholas secretly visited their home on three separate nights, tossing bags of gold coins through the window (or, as some versions suggest, down the chimney). These gifts ensured the daughters could marry and avoid destitution.

This act of anonymous generosity cemented his legacy as a protector of the vulnerable and a bringer of hope.

Nicholas’ Miracles and Canonisation

Nicholas was also credited with performing miracles, such as calming storms, saving sailors, and even resurrecting children. These stories spread far and wide, and after his death on 6 December (likely in 343 AD), he was venerated as a saint. His feast day, celebrated on 6 December, became a time of gift-giving in many parts of Europe.

Over time, Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of numerous groups, including children, sailors, and merchants.

From Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus

The transformation from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus occurred over centuries. Dutch settlers in America brought the tradition of Sinterklaas, their version of Saint Nicholas, to New Amsterdam (later New York). Sinterklaas was depicted as a kindly figure who brought gifts to children on 6 December.

In the 19th century, the figure evolved further, especially in the United States. Writers like Clement Clarke Moore and his poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) reshaped the image into the rotund, cheerful man in a red suit. Later, Coca-Cola advertising in the 1930s popularised the modern image of Santa Claus as we know him today.

The Enduring Legacy of Saint Nicholas

Although Santa Claus has become a commercialised symbol of Christmas, his origins as Saint Nicholas remind us of the true spirit of the season: kindness, generosity, and compassion. The historical Saint Nicholas gave selflessly to improve the lives of others, and his story continues to inspire acts of goodwill around the world.

This Christmas, as we celebrate with presents, lights, and laughter, let us also remember the humble bishop of Myra, whose quiet acts of kindness laid the foundation for the magic of Santa Claus.