Looking for a St Nicholas' Day gift for your children, your nieces and nephews or even an adult who's still a child at heart? You're in the right place. On 6 December, many families in continental Europe celebrate St Nicholas' Day. Little shoes by the door, sweets on waking, a surprise tucked by the fireplace: the tradition is simple, and that's what makes it so endearing.
Here's a little background on this celebration and our gift ideas, for little ones and grown-ups alike.
The essentials
- St Nicholas' Day is celebrated on 6 December, notably in north-eastern France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Germany.
- The best-known tradition: leaving your shoes by the door or the fireplace and finding them filled the next morning.
- For children: sweets, small toys, books, seasonal games.
- For adults: a nod to the shoes with a pair of slippers, from €34.99.
St Nicholas' Day in a nutshell
St Nicholas is traditionally presented as the protector of children. His feast day is celebrated on 6 December in several regions and countries of Europe: in France, mainly in the north-east, especially in Lorraine and Alsace, but also in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Germany. Customs vary from one region and one family to another, but the spirit stays the same: rewarding children with little treats a few weeks before Christmas.
The shoe tradition
In many families, children leave their shoes or slippers by the door, near the fireplace or at the foot of the bed the evening before. When they wake up, they find them filled with sweets, clementines, gingerbread or a small gift. Depending on the household, a carrot or a little hay is sometimes left out for the saint's animal companion: a donkey in eastern France, a horse in the Netherlands and Flanders. It's a little like Christmas stockings, but with shoes.
Seasonal treats
Gingerbread, chocolates, clementines, brioche shaped like a little man: each region has its specialities. These little sweet treats are an integral part of the celebration.
St Nicholas' Day gift ideas for children
St Nicholas' Day isn't a second Christmas: gifts are usually small tokens that fit in a shoe or sit beside it.
- Traditional treats: gingerbread, chocolates, clementines.
- An illustrated book about winter or the festive season.
- A small board game or a travel card game.
- A craft kit: modelling clay, beads, Christmas colouring pages.
- A figurine or a small soft toy to tuck into the shoe.
- A calendar or a notebook to count down to Christmas.
- A pair of fun socks, a nod to the filled shoes.
Our pairs start at size 35 or 36 depending on the model, so they're suitable for teenagers and adults, not young children.
And for adults?
There's nothing to stop grown-ups from joining in. In some families, a little surprise is also slipped into the shoes of parents, grandparents or partners. And for a celebration that revolves around shoes, what could be more fitting than giving a new pair?
The Merano slipper, to replace the old ones
The Merano slipper is an indoor slipper with a faux-fur cuff, soft and warm. At €34.99, sizes 36 to 45, in pink, grey, black, beige, brown, light grey and taupe. The idea: leave it in place of the old slippers under the tree or by the door, with a few clementines inside.
The Alba outdoor slipper, for winter mornings
The Alba outdoor slipper is closed at the back, lined, with a cleated platform sole. It can be worn indoors and out, to open the door to the postman or take the dog out. €39.99, sizes 36 to 45, in brown, camel, beige, black, grey and pink.
A pack for the whole family
To treat several adults or teenagers at once, Build your pack lets you choose 2 pairs for €59.98 or 3 pairs for €79.98, mixing models and colours. A lovely way to fill every shoe in the house.
Find all our ideas in our Christmas gift ideas selection.
Our tips for a successful St Nicholas' Day
- Keep the magic: it's the morning surprise that counts, not the size of the gift.
- Think small: St Nicholas' Day comes a few weeks before Christmas, so there's no need to double your budget.
- Respect your family's customs: everyone has their own rituals, specialities and favourite moment.
- Plan the size ahead if you're giving slippers: usual size, or the next size up if in doubt.
To choose well, check our size guide. The size exchange is free and you have 60 days to change your mind.
For families who live far apart, St Nicholas' Day is also a lovely excuse to send a small parcel to nieces and nephews, grandchildren or friends. A few treats, a card and a personal touch are enough to keep the tradition alive, even from a distance.
Frequently asked questions
When is St Nicholas' Day?
On 6 December. In many families, children put out their shoes the evening before and discover their surprises when they wake up.
How much should I spend on a St Nicholas' Day gift?
The tradition favours small tokens: sweets, small toys, books. The big gift is usually saved for Christmas.
Can I give Breya slippers to a child for St Nicholas' Day?
Our pairs start at size 35 or 36 depending on the model. So they're suitable for teenagers and adults, but not for young children.
Read also
- Matching slippers for the whole family at Christmas
- Original and useful Christmas gift ideas
- Slippers for your Christmas guests
Slip a little comfort into their shoes: discover our Christmas gift ideas, with free shipping.
