5 Fun St. Nicholas Day Traditions & Ideas for Kids (Dec. 6th)
Happy St. Nicholas Day 2024! …well almost.
You, too, can take part in this celebrated family tradition with five fun ways to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Take a look…
St. Nicholas Day Traditions – Leave your Shoes Outside!
Each year, on the 6th of December, we kick off the holiday season with an early visit from St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Children. St. Nicholas is known for his gracious and selfless nature and the holiday is a great way to get in the spirit of giving for the upcoming season.
The St. Nicholas Day traditions center around on children leaving their shoes or stockings out on the night before (December 5th).
In the morning children can wake to find some simple gifts waiting for them such as fruits, candies or treats in their shoes. This day is also celebrated in many places in America near the beginning of the season of Advent and preludes what we now refer to as Santa Claus.
When is St. Nicholas Day?
Contrary to what you might think, St. Nicholas Day 2024 is not on the same day as Christmas…
Did you know that the holiday is celebrated on December 6th? A day when many celebrate a special, early visit from St. Nicholas. This year, December 6th, 2024 falls on Friday!
So, make it extra special with these St. Nicholas Day gift ideas & ways to celebrate…
Be sure to check out the Ultimate Holiday Fun Guide for even more ways to get in the holiday spirit…
- Christmas events
- Holiday light displays
- Where to visit Santa in KC
- What to do when your child doesn’t believe in Santa
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Nicholas Day 2024
There are many ways to partake in St. Nicholas day.
This holiday is a great time to discuss the season of giving with your kids and the true meaning of Christmas, but there are many other St. Nicholas Day traditions for you to do with your family. So, check out these ideas for how to celebrate St. Nick Day this year…
#1 Celebrate the Spirit of Giving
Teach your kids the spirit of giving by sharing thoughtful gifts with others. Some St. Nicholas Day gift ideas include small toys, candy, handmade gifts & cards, stickers or art supplies.
You can do this anonymously in the spirit of St. Nicholas by creating giving bags to the needy. Blessing bags, which you can create on your own, are a great way to help the homeless in Kansas City.
#2 Celebrate the Custom of the Shoes
Talk with your kids about the history of Saint Nicholas (you can find books at your local library), then allow them to leave their shoes out on the night of December 5th.
This is probably the biggest St. Nicholas Day tradition, so it’s fun for the whole family! Children should place their shoes on the window sill or front stoop, along with a letter to Jesus. It can contain gift requests to be taken to heaven, or I would recommend, a prayer for others.
While your kiddos are sleeping, take the letters and fill their shoes with candy and other small trinkets. It’s sure to be a fun tradition to find on the morning of December 6th.
#3 Celebrate with Recipes
Try your hand at some holiday themed recipes from around the world. The St. Nicholas Center website has an extensive list of great holiday recipes that your family can try out to celebrate the season.
#4 Celebrate by Putting on a Play
You can learn a lot, and teach a lot, about St. Nicholas day by performing a play with your family.
From single person plays that you can put on for your kids to large group options for the whole family to get involved, the St. Nicholas Center has tons of great options to put on a family play at home.
#5 Make a St. Nicholas Miter Headband
Crafts are always fun to do with kids and it makes a great conversation starter.
There are tons of great FREE Christmas craft ideas online. The St. Nicholas Miter Headband from Teachers Pay Teachers is an easy printable that your child can make. You can wear it or use it as a centerpiece.
For more holiday fun, explore the Ultimate Holiday Fun Guide – with everything for holiday fun in KC. If you know others St. Nicks traditions, drop them in the COMMENTS!
Also be sure to sign up for THE SCOOP from us!
You’ll receive our Weekend Planner emails – filled with fun things to do this weekend, exclusive invites to Kids Club Events (often free) & more. Just click on the image below to get registered.
From our family to yours, iFamilyKC
