Although Saint Nicholas is associated with gift-giving and contributed to our modern understanding of Santa Claus, you shouldn’t confuse his holiday with Christmas. Saint Nicholas Day is its own holiday celebrated on December 6.
Saint Nicholas Day celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, who was a 4th century Greek bishop. He was born in the Greek city of Patara (in modern-day Turkey) in the late 3rd century.
Unfortunately, like many people from his time, we don’t know much about St. Nicholas’ life. He may have attended the Council of Nicaea in 325, but no one else in attendance mentions him in their written records.
For those of us living in the modern day, St. Nicholas’ influence has less to do with his life and more to do with his legend, which paints him as an exceedingly generous person.
Stories say that he gifted dowries to help girls get married and brought three children back from death. Based on these legends, he’s recognized today as the patron saint of children, unmarried girls, sailors and merchants.
The celebration of Saint Nicholas Day varies across cultures, but it generally includes acts of charity, gift-giving and spreading joy, echoing the spirit of generosity associated with St. Nicholas.
Parents may struggle balancing another gift-giving holiday so close to Christmas. Especially since St. Nicholas appears there as well, under the name Santa Claus, derived from St. Nicholas’ Dutch nickname, Sinterklaas.
