St. Nicholas Day Gifts: What Goes in the Boot on December 6
By the Gift DeskUpdated 13 hand-picked ideas
The short list
The short answer
Fill the boot with the classics first: a hollow chocolate Saint Nicholas, a chocolate orange in the toe and a few pieces of Lebkuchen. Then add one small present, like a picture book about Nicholas for a young child or slipper socks for a grown-up.
On the evening of December 5, children in Germany, Austria and much of Central Europe polish a boot, sometimes with real effort for once, and put it outside the door or on the windowsill. In the morning it’s full: a chocolate Nikolaus, a clementine, a handful of nuts, gingerbread and usually one small present. Families with roots there keep the custom in the US too, especially in the Midwest. It’s three weeks before Christmas and it’s meant to be small, which is exactly its charm. Nobody expects a big gift in a boot, and the best boots are the ones that feel generous without costing much.
This page follows the boot from the toe up. First come the traditional sweets that belong at the bottom, then a section for children with a proper boot of their own and one small surprise, then a few words on budget and fairness, and finally ideas for grown-ups, because plenty of adults still put a shoe out for a partner, a roommate or the whole office.
For more ideas at this size, see stocking stuffers and stocking stuffers for kids. If December 1 comes first in your house, advent calendars has the countdown covered.
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Five ways to get the boot right
Put the boots out on the evening of December 5 and fill them after everyone’s asleep. The morning of the 6th is when they’re opened.
Start with the traditional layer (chocolate, nuts, a clementine, gingerbread) and add one small present on top. Most of the magic is in the classics.
Keep it small enough to fit in the boot. If a present needs its own bag, save it for Christmas.
Make siblings' boots match in size and sweets, even if the presents are different.
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St. Nicholas Day, quickly answered
What do you put in a St. Nicholas Day boot?
Traditionally a chocolate Saint Nicholas, gold chocolate coins, nuts, a clementine or tangerine and gingerbread such as Lebkuchen. Many families add one small present: a book, socks, a small toy or something useful for winter.
When do you put shoes out for St. Nicholas?
On the evening of December 5. They’re filled overnight and found in the morning of December 6, St. Nicholas Day.
How much should you spend on St. Nicholas Day gifts?
Keep it small: around $10 to $25 per child, sweets included. The boot sets the limit; anything that doesn’t fit inside is a Christmas present.
Do adults get St. Nicholas Day gifts?
Often, yes. Partners leave something in each other’s shoes, and in German-speaking offices a chocolate Nikolaus on every desk is common. A small treat plus something practical, like slipper socks, is plenty.
Whatever ends up inside, the part children remember is the ritual: shining the boot, setting it out, the cold doorstep in the morning. Keep that the same every year and the contents can change as they grow.
