Saint Nicholas Day - Belgian

Hello! I am Saint Nicholas Day. I am a special day for children and families in a country called Belgium. People celebrate me every year on the 6th of December. I am a happy day that honors a very kind man. This man was known for giving wonderful gifts to people a long, long time ago. When I arrive, it is a time for fun and surprises.

My most important visitor is a kind man named Saint Nicholas. He looks very special. He has a long, soft white beard and wears a long red robe. On his head, he wears a tall hat called a mitre. Saint Nicholas travels from very far away to visit the children. Sometimes he arrives on a big steamboat that floats on the water. When he is on land, he rides a beautiful white horse from house to house.

The night before I arrive is very exciting. Before they go to sleep, children get their shoes ready. They put one of their shoes by the warm fireplace or next to the front door. It is a special tradition. Many children also leave a treat for the white horse. They will leave a crunchy carrot for the horse to eat because he has traveled so far. Then they go to bed and dream of the morning.

In the morning, children wake up and run to their shoes! If they have been good, they will find a wonderful surprise waiting for them. Their shoes are filled with yummy treats! They might find sweet chocolates to eat. They might find special cookies called speculoos. They might also find small toys to play with. This is how people in Belgium celebrate me, a day of kindness and gifts.