The Story Behind St. Nick’s Day
If you’ve ever wondered why St. Nick’s Day even exists, the story goes back centuries. The celebration honors St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity, especially toward children and families in need.
One of the most well-known legends tells of St. Nicholas secretly leaving bags of gold for three daughters who had no dowry. He slipped the coins into their shoes or stockings as they dried by the fire, which is how the tradition of leaving shoes or stockings out for treats began.
As European
families carried the tradition forward, St. Nick’s Day eventually became a quiet, early-December moment of giving. In many places, it’s the day children find small items like fruit, chocolates, or simple, practical gifts in their shoes.
German, Dutch,
and Belgian immigrants later brought the custom to the United States, where it still lives on in pockets of the Midwest, often as a sweet lead-in to the Christmas season.
Whether your family celebrates St. Nick’s Day or another holiday tradition, the heart of it stays the same. Small gestures can create the biggest, most
lasting memories.
Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know! Also, please forward this newsletter to 5 of your family members and/or friends and share the love!
Here's what just one GON reader had to say...
"Your newsletter has become my little moment of calm during the holiday season. When everything feels busy and a bit overwhelming, your warm stories and simple organizing tips make me feel grounded again."
-- Kelly R., Boston,
MA
