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Der Nikolaus Tag in Deutschland
Der 6. Dezember is not just another day on the way to Weihnachten in Germany. It’s der Nikolaustag, a delightful little prelude to Christmas that involves Stiefel, Schokolade, Orangen and a dash of childhood Horror. If you’ve never experienced Nikolaustag, you’re in for a treat—and maybe a bit of a Schock if you’ve never met St. Nicholas’ companion. Read on for a glimpse of the man behind the Feiertag with an interactive mini E-book in comprehensible German at the end.
Who Was St. Nicholas, Anyway?
Before we get to the Süßigkeiten, we need to talk about the man himself. St. Nicholas, known as der heilige Nikolaus in German, was a 4th-century bishop from what is now Turkey. He was famous for his generosity, his miraculous deeds, and for becoming the unlikely patron saint of sailors, children, and brewers.
St. Nicholas’s most famous act was an anonymous gift to a poor man on the verge of selling his three Töchter into slavery. The mysterious appearance of Gold in their shoes three mornings in a row saved them and led to the basis of holiday traditions that persist today. He is also credited with calming rough seas, saving innocent soldiers from execution and reviving dead children. There is wahrscheinlich a touch of myth mixed with the history.
The German Tradition: Shoes, Sweets, and Stern Warnings
December fifth, German Kinder will be furiously scrubbing their Schuhe until they shine. Then they will scrub them ein bisschen mehr, just for good measure. Once they glisten, they will be laid carefully by the door in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there. (Sorry, ich kann nicht anders.) This is where German efficiency kicks in: no need for stockings when your practical footwear can double as a candy receptacle.
The next morning, the Kinder wake up to find their shoes stuffed mit Schokoladen, Nüssen, and Mandarinen. There is a high probably some of those chocolates will be in the form of chocolate coins. Because of those three Töchter. Sounds delightful, right? But hold on to your Stiefel, because der Nikolaus doesn’t always travel alone.
Enter Krampus: St. Nicholas’s Delightfully Terrifying Sidekick from the south
No discussion of St. Nicholas Day is complete without mentioning Krampus, his less-than-jolly counterpart. Der Krampus is a horned, demon-like figure who accompanies St. Nicholas, acting as the bad cop to his good cop. While St. Nicholas rewards good behavior, Krampus is there to, naja, remind the naughty kids to shape up. And by “remind,” I mean he might swat them with birch branches or threaten to toss them in his Sack. After all, nothing says “festive” like mild psychological trauma, oder?
The exact origins of Krampus are unclear, but he goes way back in alpine regions. He may even have pre-Christian roots as the son of the Norse god of the underworld. And it is der Nikolaus who is able to drive him away, because das Gute always perseveres over das Böse.
Isn’t Santa der Nikolaus?
Jein. There’s that word again. In the US, yes. Jolly Old St. Nick traces his roots back to St. Nicholas. But in Deutschland, der Nikolaus only brings chocolate coins and other small treats. After all, he only has the space of a Schuh to work with. A bit later, the real star of the season appears in the form of the Weihnachtsmann (in the north) or the Christkind (in the south) on Christmas Eve. But more on those traditions later.
Can you celebrate Nikolaustag?
Absolut! Whether or not you’re in Germany, der Nikolaustag is a charming tradition that adds a little extra sparkle to the holiday season. Plus, my children love Nikolaustag. It’s like a Trailer for Weihnachten. Who doesn’t love an excuse to eat chocolate out of their footwear?
Here’s how you can join the fun:
- Clean your shoes. Schuhe putzen is an important part of the holiday. No one likes chocolate with a side of foot funk.
- Fill them with treats—think chocolates, nuts, and maybe a small toy or two. Chocolate coins are almost always involved.
- Spread the joy. Make sure to drop some chocolates into other people’s shoes.
- Embrace the duality. Reward the nice people in your life, and playfully remind the naughty ones that Krampus is watching. Emphasis on playfully.
A Holiday Worth Stealing
In a world where the holidays can feel like a blur of gift receipts and glitter explosions, St. Nicholas Day is a breath of fresh air. It’s simple, it’s sweet (literally), and it comes with a delightful hint of existential dread. So this December 6th, polish your boots, channel your inner Nikolaus, and maybe—just maybe—leave room for Krampus. After all, nothing says “season’s greetings” quite like a horned demon threatening to kidnap your friends and family.
Frohe Nikolaustag, everyone! May your shoes be clean and your chocolates plentiful. And if you would like to know a bit more about Krampus, check back on Wednesday!
Der Nikolaustag, an Interactive Text in Comprehensible German
Now that you know the basics of who St. Nicholas is, you are ready to tackle the story in German. Told in simple, comprehensible German and coming in under 400 words, it is the perfect way to practice German. Each section has a quick activity to help you practice your German while you read. As always, click on the practice German category for more interactive exercises and subscribe below so you don’t miss new content. And don’t forget to visit my virtual Adventskalender for a daily treat!
I liked how it taught me german, but I never got confused because it backed it up with a lot of English.
I am glad you found it helpful!