St Nicholas Day is one of children's favourite winter holidays: presents wait under the pillow in the morning. Since the OCU and UGCC moved to the Revised Julian calendar in 2023, Ukraine celebrates it on 6 December. Here is who St Nicholas was, the traditions in Ukraine and elsewhere, and what to give children and adults. Ideas for other people and occasions are in our guide what to give: gift ideas. Gift ideas: St Nicholas Day gifts.
Small winter bouquets and poinsettias are available in our flowers for children and potted plants sections.
Nicholas of Myra (the Wonderworker) was a 4th-century bishop of Myra in Lycia, in today's Turkey. He was known for his generosity: in the best-known legend he secretly left gold in a poor man's house so his daughters could marry — the origin of secret gift-giving. Since 1087 his relics have rested in Bari, Italy. He is the patron saint of children, sailors and travellers.
The OCU and UGCC celebrate St Nicholas Day on 6 December; it used to fall on 19 December in Ukraine, and communities that stayed on the Julian calendar still mark it then. Catholic countries have always celebrated on 6 December, and in the Netherlands the main evening is 5 December.
Besides the winter feast, the church calendar has a “spring St Nicholas” — the day his relics were moved from Myra in Lycia to Bari in Italy in 1087. Under the Revised Julian calendar it is marked on 9 May (previously 22 May). The winter feast on 6 December honours the saint himself and is the one linked with gifts for children. Folk tradition spoke of “winter Nicholas” and “spring Nicholas”: the first about care and gifts, the second about the start of warm weather and field work.
These sayings are folk culture rather than a forecast, but they are fun to share with children while waiting for presents.
According to folk belief, on St Nicholas Day you shouldn’t argue or swear, refuse help to those who ask, do heavy physical work or a big spring-clean. Instead people were encouraged to go to church, visit older relatives, help those in need and, of course, delight the children. These are traditions rather than church rules, so each family decides for itself whether to follow them.
In the past, naughty children might find a small switch next to their presents — a symbolic reminder to behave better. Today the custom is playful: the switch is tied with a ribbon or left alongside sweets, or replaced altogether by a letter from St Nicholas wishing the child to be even better behaved.
Santa Claus grew out of the Dutch Sinterklaas, brought to New York by settlers. But while Santa comes at Christmas, St Nicholas arrives on his own day, 5–6 December, opening the winter holiday season.
Help your child describe their good deeds of the year, say thank you and list 2–3 wishes. The letter goes on the windowsill or under the pillow the night before. A lovely idea is to add one wish "for others", so the holiday teaches kindness.
6 December, under the Revised Julian calendar adopted by the OCU and UGCC in 2023.
In Ukraine under the pillow; in the Netherlands in shoes by the fireplace; in Germany in boots.
A small winter bouquet, a poinsettia or an arrangement with conifer.
In 2023 the OCU and UGCC switched to the Revised Julian calendar, so fixed feasts moved 13 days earlier: St Nicholas Day is now 6 December.
Under the Revised Julian calendar it is 9 May, the day his relics were moved to Bari.
To wish Mykolais a happy name day, see name day wishes.
For ready-made greetings, see our St. Nicholas Day wishes.
It is also a name day: name day wishes for Mykola.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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