Santa Claus Day - December 6.

The tradition of St. Nicholas is not synonomous with the role of Santa Claus in the U.S.. As practiced in many European countries, the celebration of St. Nicholas is separate from the Christmas holidays, and occurs during the 2 weeks prior to December 6th, which is St. Nicholas's day.

Santa Claus and St. Nicholas chocolate figures

St. Nicholas was born in 271 AD and died around December 6, 342 or 343 AD near the Asia Minor (Turkey) town of Myra, where he later became Bishop. He performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless, and upon his death, myths soon sprang up about him all around the Mediterranean Sea. He was reputed to be able to calm the raging seas, rescue desperate sailors, help the poor and downtrodden, and save children. He was soon named as the patron saint of sailors, and when Myra was overthrown, his bones were transported by sailors to Bari, a port in Italy, where a tomb was built over the grave and became the center of honor for St. Nicholas. From here the legend spread on around to the Atlantic Coast of Europe and the North Sea to become a European holiday tradition regardless of religion.

Santa Claus comes to Hungarian children on 6th in the morning. Basically he looks like your Santa Claus in America, his sledge dragged by reindeers. There are always 2 little devils (dressed in black with red horns and tail) with him to punish bad children. On 5th in the evening little children clean their boots and put them on the window for the night as Santa Claus in Hungary puts his presents into boots. Children can hardly sleep that night and always wake up early in the morning. But bad children get not only presents but also birch (a bunch of branches painted gold to swish them with if they were bad - children are so afraid of getting it!). Of course on 6th you can meet many Santa Clauses in the streets, in the stores - and also in the schools. If children (but also teachers in the schools!) sing him a song or recite a poem about Santa Claus they can get some chocolate.

Birch

But Santa Claus Day is not just for the kids. So, instead of putting my boots in the window, I hung up my Christmas stocking... and by the next day, Santa left me some great presents! He was very generous this year, and he even got me some chocolates from Hungary! :)