Saint-Nicolas : The Legend

Saint-Nicolas lived most of his life in Turkey in the town of Myra. It is told that accomplished many miracles and in particular miracles for children. Then he became the protective saint of children and December 6 is the celebration day of the children. Saint-Nicolas was sometimes accompagnied by the fouettard father (a dreadful character dress in black). He comes in the night from the December 5 to 6 to bring rewards to the good children.

The children take care to leave him a glass of milk (or of wine) so that he gets forces again and they add a carrot and pieces of sugar for his ass, which accompanies him.

To thank them Saint-Nicolas traditionallybrings them gingerbread, candies and somme small gifts. then this time the children in Belgium celebrate Saint-Nicolas on December 6, with Saint-Nicolas, obviously, and celebrate also Christmas on December 25, with the father Christmas, of course!

Resemblances :

Dressed in red, with a long beard, they visit us in December during the night, they bring gifts for the children, one leaves them food, they move using animals, the children believe that these imaginary characters always exist.

Differences:

Saint-Nicolas is accompanied by father fouettard, his animal is the ass; he visits us at scholl he has a stick and a long tunic.

Father Christmas moves with a sledge drawn by reindeers, he is accompanied only by gifts.