Growing up in Germany, I have fond memories of St. Nicholas Day, or as we call it ‘Nikolaustag’. On the morning of December 6th, children find their boots filled with all kinds of goodies - traditionally this would be walnuts, tangerines, and sweets. The evening before, my mother would always make me and my siblings clean our boots thoroughly and leave them out overnight. Sometimes, we would also display our finest homemade gingerbread for St. Nicholas.
You may add an extra festive day to the month and give this tradition a little twist- try surprising your flatmates in the morning by leaving some goodies...
At primary school, St. Nicholas himself would sometimes visit to ask if we’d been good children and hand out presents. Traditionally, if you have been naughty, his ominous counterpart Knecht Ruprecht would threaten you with a ‘Rute’ (a rod). Luckily, I was always one of the good ones! You may add an extra festive day to the month and give this tradition a little twist- try surprising your flatmates in the morning by leaving some goodies (or a rod, if you will) in their boots!
Now, I will let you in on a favourite family tradition of mine, which is the Polish/Silesian ‘robak zalac’... grab your family or friends and your best bottle of vodka (or whatever else you fancy), and walk over to your mates’ or extended families’ houses to have a shot. The word ‘robak’ translates to ‘worm’, as this tradition is intended for you to ‘drown the worm’, meaning drowning all of the year’s sorrows with alcohol! Suspiciously enough, I couldn't find anything online about this tradition, making me question whether generations of my family have simply made up an excuse for day-drinking. Nevertheless, take my word for it: it’s a very fun tradition.
This tradition's simplicity takes away from some of the pressure of finding perfect gifts...
Lastly, if you’re looking for something very wholesome, try the Icelandic Christmas book flood ‘Jólabókaflóð’. To me, books are some of the best gifts to give or receive, so this is perfect for all my fellow bibliophiles. On Christmas Eve, you exchange books with your loved ones and then cosy up by the fire, or with some hot cocoa, to read together. This tradition’s simplicity takes away some of the pressure of finding the perfect gifts. It dates back to the Second World War, when Iceland had strict restrictions on imports, rendering books treasured gifts. Back in the day, people in Iceland would even receive a catalogue with newly published titles to find something suitable for everyone. However, even today, this tradition is a wonderful way to share stories while also supporting local bookshops and writers.
