St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6 -- Dzien Świętego Mikołaja -- starts off the Christmas holidays in Poland. The night before, children hung up clean white stockings (some children set out freshly polished shoes) hoping they would be filled with nuts and tangerines. Before the 6th December children write letters to Saint Nicholaus informing this merry gentleman what they would like to get from him.
Who Is That Bearded Man?
St. Nicholas was the 4th-century Bishop of Myra in Lycia, what is now a province of Turkey. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, and is associated by some countries with Santa Claus.
In Poland, St. Nicholas -- Święty Mikołaj travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer as he visits homes in the countryside. He usually gets to homes through chimneys.
Children believe that if they are good, Saint Nicholaus will come to them with presents,
good children receive treats – candies, cookies, toys – while naughty children receive a twig.
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CHRISTMAS SEASON HAS BEGUN