St. Nicholas
December's generous visitor
St.
Nicholas is the Christian saint who became the basis for Santa Claus.
A fourth-century bishop known for secret gift-giving, his feast day (December 6) traditionally involved leaving presents in children's shoes.
Dutch settlers brought *Sinterklaas* to America, where the figure evolved into the red-suited Christmas gift-giver.
The children left their shoes out for St. Nicholas.
- Father ChristmasBritish yuletide gift-bringer
- MyraFeminine given name
- Santa ClausLegendary yuletide gift-giver
- feast daySaint's commemorative holiday
- Kris KringleJolly December gift-bringer
Council of Nicaea · Sinterklaas · patron · charity · early church · hagiography · saint · miracle worker · relics · bishop · Byzantium · Advent · generosity · presents · toys · gift giver · protector · gifts
- Parish NamesSt. Joseph, St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. John, St. Peter
- Gift BringersSanta Claus, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Kriss Kringle, Father Christmas
- holiday figuresSanta Claus, Santa, Easter Bunny, Frosty, Rudolph
- Winter Characterssnowman, Santa Claus, Santa, Frosty, Jack Frost
- Bavarian FolkloreKrampus, kobold, nixie, mountain spirits, forest spirits
- Victorian PeriodicalsBelgravia, Bow Bells
St. NicholasKrampus
Folklore figure punishing misbehavior
the Grinch · Ebenezer Scrooge · Scrooge · bogeymen · miser
St. NicholasEaster Bunny
Mythical spring gift-giver
Peter Cottontail · Cupid · leprechaun · Uncle Sam · Turkey
St. NicholasEbenezer Scrooge
Scrooge · the Grinch · misers · skinflints · penny-pinchers