Every December 5th was magical, and as the twilight fell, my siblings and I eagerly polished our boots. We knew they’d be filled by morning with treasures: chocolates, a bright orange, and walnuts in their shells. Simple gifts, yet wrapped in mystery and delight.
My parents, with quiet smiles and twinkling eyes, would place the filled boots outside our door. We were told that Saint Nicholas or Sankt Nikolaus, would come to inspect them. And somehow, even though we never saw him arrive, the magic always happened.
On the night of December 5th, my parents would fill our polished boots with small gifts like chocolates, fruits, and nuts and leave them outside. The following day, Sankt Nikolaus—sometimes portrayed by a friend or neighbor in a bishop’s attire—would arrive with treats in a bag. He carried a burlap sack filled with treats and spoke in a deep, kind voice. But he was never alone.
Sankt Nikolaus was often accompanied by his helper Knecht Rupprecht or the frightening and hairy Krampus.
Knecht Rupprecht, his stern helper, was dressed in dark robes and carried a bundle of switches. And sometimes, if the story called for it, the fearsome Krampus would — hairy, wild, and rattling chains. I remember clutching my mother’s hand tightly, half thrilled, half terrified.
Lessons Wrapped in Tradition
Sankt Nikolaus didn’t just bring sweets. He brought stories, lessons, and a gentle reminder to be kind, helpful, and honest. He would read from his golden book, recounting our good deeds — and perhaps a few missteps. But even the warnings were wrapped in warmth. It wasn’t about punishment; it was about growing.
Looking back, I see how this tradition shaped my understanding of generosity and reflection. It wasn’t about grand gifts, but about the joy of being remembered, the thrill of mystery, and the comfort of ritual.
✨ Keeping the Tradition Alive
Decades ago, after arriving in the US, I celebrated Sankt Nikolaus with my family. My daughter when little, polished her little boots with the same excitement I once felt. And when she found them filled with goodies the next morning, her eyes lit up, just as mine did decades ago.
The History
Saint Nicholas, who lived between 270 and 343 AD, has inspired a multitude of legends that over the centuries have established him as one of the most significant saints. These tales are rooted in the actual life of the bishop of Myra (present-day Demre, Turkey). Following his death, he was interred at the Saint Nicholas tomb located in Bari, Italy.
The tradition of filling shoes overnight from December 5th to 6th is rooted in the legend of the three virgins who received gifts during the night from St. Nicholas. This practice is primarily observed in the Catholic regions of Bavaria, while the Christmas Child typically arrives on Christmas Eve with presents.
Initially, St. Nicholas Day was celebrated as the day for exchanging Christmas gifts. In some Northern Lutheran regions of Germany and other countries, he continues to deliver presents on December 24th and 25th. The postponement of gift-giving to Christmas in many areas stemmed from the Reformation’s rejection of saint veneration, leading to Nicholas being supplanted by the Christ Child as the gift-bringer in certain locations.
Photo by Wikimedia. Oberbobritzsch Kirche Nikolausaltar
In the 19th Century, America developed this customs around Santa Claus also called Kris Kringle. Today Santa Claus is the world’s dominant, mercantile figure.In the 19th Century, America developed this customs around Santa Claus. Today Santa Claus is the world’s dominant, mercantile figure.
We may not have a Krampus knocking at the door, but the spirit of the tradition lives on — in the stories we tell, the treats we share, and the love we pass down.
Read here how I experienced Christmas in my childhood growing up in Bavaria
