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Nov 15, 2016 · Hannah Christensen describes the yearly tradition of filling shoes with treats on St. Nicholas Day. She has compiled a list of shoe-stuffing ideas. What to Put in the Shoes?
- Overview
- History
- Traditions
St. Nicholas Day, feast day (December 6) of St. Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia and Greece, of a number of cities, and of sailors and children, among many other groups, and was noted for his generosity. Some countries celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 5.
After the Reformation, St. Nicholas was largely forgotten in Protestant Europe, although his memory was kept alive in Holland as Sinterklaas. There St. Nicholas is said to arrive on horseback on his feast day, dressed in a bishop’s red robe and mitre and accompanied by Black Peter (Zwarte Piet), variously described as a freed slave or a Moor, to help him distribute sweets and presents to good children or lumps of coal, potatoes, or switches to bad ones. The Dutch took the tradition to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the American colonies, where he was transformed into Santa Claus by the English-speaking majority. His legend of a kindly old man was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. The resulting image of Santa Claus in the United States crystallized in the 19th century, and he has ever since remained the patron of the gift-giving festival of Christmas. In Britain he was largely replaced with Father Christmas.
Britannica Quiz
In parts of northern Europe, particularly the Low Countries and some German-speaking areas, St. Nicholas Day has remained a time when children are given special cookies, candies, and gifts. In many places, children leave letters for St. Nicholas and carrots or grass for his donkey or horse. In the morning, they find small presents under their pillows or in the shoes, stockings, or plates they have set out for him. Oranges and chocolate coins are common treats that represent St. Nicholas’s legendary rescue of three impoverished girls by paying their marriage dowries with gold. Candy canes, which have the shape of a bishop’s crosier, are also given.
It is thought that over the centuries the legendary St. Nicholas was merged with similar cultural and religious figures. Significant among these were the pagan Knecht Ruprecht and the Roman figure of Befana, as well as the Christ Child (Christkind, or Kris Kringle). A number of countries have traditions in which a malevolent character accompanies St. Nicholas. In France, Père Fouettard, who legend holds tried to cook three boys in a barrel of brine, is said to whip naughty children or give them coal. In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht serves as St. Nicholas’s servant and gives children who do not know their prayers sticks, stones, or coal. The terrifying devil-like Krampus is common in many central European counties and carries chains, bells, and sometimes a large basket with which to threaten naughty children.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Nov 22, 2017 · Saint Nicholas Day is one such tradition, and it’s coming up on December 6. This holiday has evolved into many modern-day forms, but the traditional custom is to set shoes out the evening before St. Nick’s Day so they’ll be filled with little gifts and treats in the night.
As all retire, they place a shoe beside their bedroom doors. According to ancient custom, a bit of grain or a carrot is left in the shoe for the good saint 's horse to eat. St. Nick fills the shoes with gifts during the night.
Oct 26, 2022 · A boot in front of the fireplace. On the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day, children leave a shoe or a boot in front of the fireplace or the front door, hoping to wake up to it filled with gifts from Saint Nicholas. Not unlike the idea of Santa Claus leaving coal for naughty children, Saint Nicholas might leave a stick for misbehaving children.
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. [6] The American Santa Claus, as well as the British Father Christmas, derive from Saint Nicholas.
Oct 18, 2021 · St. Nicholas’ Day. St. Nicholas Day takes place on December 6 th. The night before, Children leave their shoes outside. Then parents fill the shoes with fruits and candies and coins by the morning. This tradition stems from one of St. Nicholas’ miracles.
