St. Nicholas is known for his kindness and his help to those in distress. He is

considered the patron saint of children,unmarried girls, and sailors. A famous

story about St Nicholas is about a poor man who had no money to give to his

three daughters on their wedding day. St Nicholas dropped bags of gold into the

stockings which the girls had left to dry by the fire.



St. Nicholas Day is celebrated early in the advent season. The holiday has been

popular for many centuries in Northern European countries. In France, St.

Nicholas comes mainly to the regions of Alsace, Lorraine, Nord-Pas-de-Calais,

and Brittany.

 

Traditionally, St. Nicholas Day celebrations include gifts left in children's shoes.

Good children receive treats such as candy, cookies, apples, and nuts. Bad

children receive switches or lumps of coal. Sometimes coins were left in shoes as

well. In some regions of France, a little donkey carries baskets filled

with gifts and treats for the children. Today,children still put a shoe outside of

their bedroom door on St. Nicholas Eve, and expect to find candy, coins, or small

gifts in their shoe on December 6th.

 

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For more information see the following links:

St Nicholas

History of St. Nicholas