WA Advent Calendar 2025 - Friday 5th December
St Nicholas Eve: The Tradition of Shoes and Small Surprises
Tonight, December 5th, is St. Nicholas Eve, a much-loved tradition in many parts of Europe, and thank you, Isabella, for reminding everyone of this wonderful tradition in an earlier blog.
My brother-in-law's parents were German, and he introduced us to all to St Nicholas, and we also celebrated this wonderful tradition each year when my girls were small.
Shoes out!
On Wednesday, we had socks, and now it's time for some shoes!
Traditionally, children place their shoes out on the evening of 5 December, ready for a magical visit from St. Nicholas during the night. By morning, they discover small gifts, sweets or coins tucked inside, and I love this very gentle, heartwarming custom that celebrates generosity, community and kindness.
Where the tradition comes from
The practice is linked to St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop known for his compassion and secret acts of giving.
His most famous story involves a poor man who had three daughters but no money for dowries. Without dowries, the girls faced being sold as servants. Nicholas reportedly secretly tossed bags of gold through their window at night (some versions say into their shoes or stockings), saving them from servitude and allowing them to marry.
Stories of his generosity evolved into a yearly ritual where children receive small tokens of care on 6 December, St. Nicholas Day.
The most common items found in shoes include:
- sweets
- nuts
- fruit
- chocolate coins
- tiny treats or trinkets
Although the idea is shared, each place has its own twist:
Germany
Shoes are left outside bedroom doors or by the fireplace.
Netherlands (Sinterklaas)
Children leave shoes by the hearth, often with hay or carrots for St. Nicholas’s horse.
France
In some regions, shoes are left by the fire; in others, children place a plate instead.
Eastern Europe
Similar traditions appear, sometimes using boots or stockings instead of shoes.
A few families adapt the timing, but the classic custom is always the evening of 5 December.
A thought for today
Whether you celebrate this tradition or simply enjoy learning about it, St. Nicholas Eve inevitably invites one beautiful question, which I pose for you all today:
What small act of kindness can you offer someone today?
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Recent Comments
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Hi, Gail. Like Shawn we didn't practice St. Nicholas Eve as you describe it. On Christmas Eve we would hang stockings near the tree (no fire place) and they would be filled on Christmas morning. Another thing we did was the opening of gifts from family and friends on Christmas Eve to make room for Santa to place presents under the tree. :D
JD
Sounds wonderful. We did St Nicholas things as an extra to Christmas, not instead of! Guess we're just being a bit greedy! LOL
Gail, this painted such a warm scene shoes by the fire and a little quiet magic in the night. We never celebrated St. Nicholas Eve growing up, though honestly we probably should have… I love gifts lol. We mostly waited for the big man on the 25th though I spend plenty of time with the other big man out in the woods the rest of the year 😉
Your question hit home.
My small act today? Reaching out to someone who might need a lift.
Beautiful reminder thank you.
Shawn
Glad you enjoyed it and as I've just said to JD, we did St Nicholas shoes as an extra! LOL.
I wonder what Bigfoot would want for Christmas?
I always enjoy your posts, Gail, but this one really made me think. That’s such a great-sounding tradition and well, I love gifts so I asked my wife if we can do it next year, you know, for the kids. And it’s officially on the books. Win-win.
And for Bigfoot… man, we are going back and forth on his Christmas list.
Right now he’s asking for a raise and some time off.
I’m over here trying to offer him feet warmers and extra hours.
Negotiations aren’t going well.
But I’m wearing him down.
Shawn
That's great, Shawn. Your kids will love it! One year at school, we got all the teachers to put out a shoe and it was such fun!
I hope the budge stretches (literally) to the feet warmers for the Big Fella, too!
Now that is awesome. I can only imagine a whole line of teachers’ shoes waiting for St. Nicholas that must’ve been a sight to see.
And yes, the kids are already fired up for Christmas, that’s for sure.As for the big man… well, I think that budget will turn out just right.
Got big plans for the new year,
Shawn
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Thank you Gail. I am thinking along the same lines - here is the last but one page in my (nearly finished) picture book.
Here are three little kindness challenges.
Can you do one today?
✨ Do something helpful for someone in your family.
✨ Say something kind that makes someone smile.
✨ Choose something to share - a toy, a treat, or a helping paw.
A Christmas wish is brightest
when it brings joy to someone else.
That's great, Isabella. So exciting to have almost finished your book. We're going to do them by Christmas!!