Many families throughout Europe, and perhaps some religious families in the United States, are familiar with the tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6. On the eve of Dec. 6, children place their shoes outside their door or by the fireplace at night and awaken to find them filled with treats.
The tradition makes sense. St. Nicholas is famous for his generosity and secret gift-giving. His story even inspired the custom of hanging stockings by the fire. According to legend, he tossed gold coins into the stockings of three girls whose father was too poor to pay their dowries.
