When Is Saint Nicholas Day 2023? Plus How to Celebrate

Although Saint Nicholas is associated with gift-giving and contributed to our modern understanding of Santa Claus, you shouldn't confuse his holiday with Christmas. Saint Nicholas Day is its own holiday celebrated on December 6.

What Is Saint Nicholas Day?

Saint Nicholas Day celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, who was a 4th century Greek bishop. He was born in the Greek city of Patara (in modern-day Turkey) in the late 3rd century.

Unfortunately, like many people from his time, we don't know much about St. Nicholas' life. He may have attended the Council of Nicaea in 325, but no one else in attendance mentions him in their written records.

For those of us living in the modern day, St. Nicholas' influence has less to do with his life and more to do with his legend, which paints him as an exceedingly generous person.

Stories say that he gifted dowries to help girls get married and brought three children back from death. Based on these legends, he's recognized today as the patron saint of children, unmarried girls, sailors and merchants.

Nicholas died on December 6 in 343. Today, we remember his death with St. Nicholas Day.

How Is Saint Nicholas Day Celebrated?

The celebration of Saint Nicholas Day varies across cultures, but it generally includes acts of charity, gift-giving and spreading joy, echoing the spirit of generosity associated with St. Nicholas.

Parents may struggle balancing another gift-giving holiday so close to Christmas. Especially since St. Nicholas appears there as well, under the name Santa Claus, derived from St. Nicholas' Dutch nickname, Sinterklaas.

If you're uncertain about how to celebrate St. Nicholas Day, the St. Nicholas Center has several recommendations:

Stick to Small Gifts

When St. Nicholas gifted dowries, he supposedly did so by dropping them into the girls' shoes at night. When we celebrate St. Nicholas Day, we can follow his lead.

Give small gifts that can fit in a shoe or a stocking. This way, you can save the big gifts for Christmas later in the month, while sticking with the spirit of gift-giving for St. Nicholas Day.

Give to Charity

Remember, St. Nicholas gave to those in need. You can honor his legend by donating to charity this holiday season. The holiday is about giving, not receiving.

Put the Spotlight on St. Nicholas

Christmas may share the gift-giving tradition with St. Nicholas Day, but Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.

Use this holiday to learn about St. Nicholas instead. Focus on his stories and how his legend transformed into the modern-day Santa Claus.