Putting Shoes out for st nicholas day

Putting Shoes out for st nicholas day

St. Nicholas Eve is Coming ! Put Your Shoes Out!

I remember when in elementary school being fascinated by the international personas of Santa Claus.  The varied forms he takes with different names and visual appearances.  Totally enchanting.
A number of years ago we folded some adopted relations into our family who introduced us to the December 5 nocturnal visit of St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas (and Black Peter or Zwarte Piet, his alter ego wielding coal for ne’er-do-wells having blown it over the past year).  Our friends are British and as far as I know this is not a British custom but actually stems from the wife teaching German for years.  Love how the world’s customs so festively migrate to the willing

December 5 is St Nicholas Eve.  On that night children (though I personally do not believe in age discrimination when building holiday spirit) put their shoes out (typically outside but due to voracious squirrels in our ‘hood, we make it an indoor thing) in the hopes of some sweets in the morning.  Now as do most celebrities, St. Nick does not travel solo.  His sidekick, Black Peter, is on his arm to quickly place coal in the shoes of the wicked.
Some examples of what one might find in their shoes:
Oranges or tangerines are often found (as well as in Christmas stockings) as they symbolize the gold balls St. Nicholas would throw to the children.  I suspect as well before current day globalization of food, citrus fruits were scarce in winter therefore making them a prized treat.
Candy croziers, or candy canes, are shaped after bishop’s or shepard’s staffs and are given out as a reminder of the care St. Nicholas had for people.
Gold coins, real or in chocolate, symbolize coins thrown through a window by St. Nicholas to free servant girls.
Mixed nuts in shell
And I’m sure this is not traditional but why should these little bottles be squandered on mini bars and airplane trips?  For good souls over 21 only!
December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas marking the day of the real saint’s death.  Many traditional foods are served.  I pulled out a special ginger cookie recipe, Speculaas, that is typically done in beautiful molds though does not have to be done so.
This fun Speculaas Cookie recipe provides some additional background about St. Nicholas and the feast as well on their website. 
Any readers who actively practice this tradition I’d love to hear more about what you do in your family or home!

Final Word :
St. Nicholas Eve is Coming ! Put Your Shoes Out! because today is st nicholas day