Ways to Celebrate Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas Day is a day that often goes overlooked in the United States. Many people are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and that often stops them from being able to fully enjoy the fun days, like St. Nicholas Day, with their families. St. Nicholas Day is a fun and easy way to talk to children about the meaning of Christmas, but why and how should you celebrate the day?

Why Should you Celebrate?

There are many reasons to celebrate St. Nick the first weekend in December. You can kick off the season of Advent and achieve all of these great things:

• To learn about the true Santa Claus and the Father Christmas (St. Nicholas). St. Nick was a man of faith who lived his life in devotion to Christ
• To focus on giving more than receiving – St. Nicholas was a man who cared for the needy
• To emphasize small treats and family fun – St. Nicholas loved children
• To offer a spiritual dimension to gift giving
• To tell the story of a Christian saint whose life inspires compassion and charity
• To provide a bit of special festivity early in the waiting weeks of Advent – St. Nicholas points to Jesus, the heart of Christmas
• To honor St. Nicholas who honor Christ who gave the greatest gift of all

How you can Celebrate at Home

There are many ways you can celebrate St. Nicholas within the walls of your own home, especially if you have children. Anything from writing letters to learning prayers can honor St. Nick, including the following activities:

• Letters and treats for St. Nicholas
• Have a St. Nicholas feast
• Hang stocking for St. Nick to fill
• Decorate for St. Nicholas Day on St. Nicholas Eve
• Make a wreath for St. Nicholas Day
• Tell the story of St. Nicholas
• Fill your shoes with offerings to St. Nick
• Say Advent Wreath prayers
• Do a St. Nicholas Day Blessing
• Bless candy canes in St. Nicholas’ name

Churches Celebrating St. Nicholas

In addition to celebrating the day at home, many churches will also be celebrating the saint. If you would like to suggest your church offer a celebration for one of the most favorite saints, here are a few ideas:

• Offer a St. Nicholas Day worship
• Have a St. Nicholas Day festival
• Donate funds from St. Nicholas activities or worships to a charity
• Perform a community outreach in the name of St. Nicholas
• Have a children’s class that teaches kids the importance of the holiday season
• Host an Advent Quiet Day in honor of St. Nick
• Have a St. Nicholas Day Feast within the church
• Propose a volunteer day to honor St. Nicholas

Although St. Nicholas Day isn’t extremely popular in the United States, many more people are celebrating the Advent holiday each year. These cheap and easy ways to celebrate a favored saint are a perfect way to tie religion into the holidays as well as kick off the holiday season.

Amanda Blankenship

Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media.  With a BA in journalism from Wingate University, she frequently writes for a handful of websites and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.