The legend of Saint Nicholas is based on the life of a person who lived in Asia Minor in the 4th century A.D. According to historians, Bishop Nicholas of Myra passed away in the town of the same name, probably in 345 or 352 A.D. However, they all agree that this happened on a 6th December. A protector of children, he is one of the most popular saints on the calendar, hence one reason why the name is always in fashion!
This being said, several countries abandoned the festival of Saint Nicholas in the 16th century. However in the Netherlands, it remained a firmly established tradition, and when Dutch immigrants left to found New York one century later, they took this "children's festival" with them, which rapidly became confused with the birth of Christ. For the Americans, Sinter-Klass became Santa-Claus and has since been celebrated on Christmas Eve...In several European countries, Saint Nicholas' day on 6 December is more of a festival day for children than the coming of Santa Claus. In Belgium, speculoos biscuits in the shape of Saint Nicholas are often given along with toys to all well-behaved and deserving children each year.
