I grew up in a German family. Each December 6th we would celebrate St. Nicholas Day.
This tradition is celebrated in many European countries including Germany. In many of these areas, Sankt Nikolaus comes as a bishop with flowing beard and a miter and staff. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and children clean and polish their shoes or boots in preparation for the saint's visit. On the evening before St. Nicholas Day, children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes. These are left outside, under the bed, beside a radiator, or on a windowsill in hopes of finding goodies from St. Nicholas the next morning. During the night Sankt Nikolaus goes from house to house carrying a book in which all the children's deeds are written. If they have been good, he fills their plate, shoe or boot with delicious fruits, nuts and candies. If not, they may find potatoes, coal, or twigs.
Last Friday, we tidied the room and hallway at the end of the day and put our shoes on the carpet with hopes that St. Nicholas would come and fill our shoes. There was great anticipation this morning when the children arrived. They were all thrilled to have received oranges, sweet treats and stickers. Luckily no one received the dreaded coal or sticks!
