When you were a child, or even now as a teen, you may have celebrated St. Nicholas Day in your home. It is the old tradition of leaving out your shoe the night of December 5th, and the next morning waking up to find a present St. Nicholas left for you. This is something celebrated all over the world and the history of this saint’s feast day dates back all the way to the 4th century Europe.

Celebrated on December 6th every year, St. Nicholas’ feast day is usually the prelude to Christmas. Back when he was alive, St. Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving to the poor. He would put coins and knick-knacks in the shoes of those who left them out for him, both adults and children. After years of doing so, he then became more and more known as ‘The Bringer of Gifts’, which became a model for Santa Claus. This is where the modern Santa gets his nickname “Jolly Old St. Nick”.