SAINT NICHOLAS

The legendary figure of St. Nicholas is derived from Nicholas of Myra who officiated as a bishop in 4th century Greece. During his lifetime he developed a reputation for gift-giving by putting coins in other people's shoes, which accounts for many of today's Christmas traditions that involve leaving gifts in shoes or boots.
Having inspired both the figure of the North American Santa Claus and the British Father Christmas, St. Nicholas has in some countries been more recently joined on his visits to children's homes by an evil companion who punishes the naughty ones: in Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and northern Italy, this personification of evil is called Krampus, in Germany Knecht Ruprecht, and in the Netherlands Zwarte Piet.

Saint Nicholas      English Saint-Nicolas       French Nikolaustag   German Día de San Nicolás    Spanish Télapó  Mikulás Hungarian

Q: What goes oh, oh, oh? A: Santa Claus walking backwards! Q: How do you know Santa Claus is good at karate? A: He has a black belt! Q:  What’s black, white and red all over? A: Santa Claus after he comes down the chimney!