When is St. Nicholas Day in 2022? What you need to know about time-honoured holiday custom

St. Nicholas Day, also known as St. Nick’s Day, is the day people commence their Christmas celebrations.

Stockings are hung and gifts are exchanged, but on a smaller scale than at Christmas. This day is famously celebrated in American cities with large populations of Dutch and Germans.

Who is Saint Nicholas?

During the Roman Empire, there was a bishop who became the patron saint of children. He showed tonnes of kindness to young children. He used to give a lot of gifts to poor and young children, even by selling his own belongings.

Once, St. Nicholas left golden coins in stockings for poor children; since then, it has become a tradition to hang stockings in your home.

He was named a saint on December 6 by the church. It is also believed that he died on the same day in 343 A.D. Since then, December 6 has been celebrated as the Feast of St. Nicholas every year.

Since when did Americans start celebrating St. Nicholas Day?

Germans started migrating to America in the 1600s. With them, they brought the tradition of St. Nicholas Day.



The Enquirer interviewed the President of the German American Citizens’ League, Don Heinrich Tolzmann, who also happens to be the curator of the German Heritage Museum. In that interview, he mentioned that the first Christmas tree in the Americas was put up by Dr. Ludwig "Louis" Rehfuss in the early 19th century. He was a medical doctor from Germany who immigrated to America.

Santa Claus vs. St. Nicholas

Santa Claus is associated with the Day of Christman, i.e., December 25, whereas St. Nicholas is associated with St. Nick’s Day, i.e., December 6.

Santa Claus is also known as St. Nick, Father Christmas, or Kris Kringle.

Both of them are known for filling stockings with gifts for children.

FAQs:

1. When is St. Nicholas Day this year?
   In 2022, St. Nicholas Day is on December 6.
2. Is Santa Claus also St. Nicholas?
   Santa Claus is also referred to as St. Nicholas, but there's no proof that they are the same person.