St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop who lived in modern-day Turkey. There is minimal historical scholarship dating to the period of his life, but stories and traditions that developed after his death emphasize his profound spirit of generosity, especially towards the poor.

One particularly famous oral tradition tells that St. Nicholas saves three young women from a life of destitution and ruin by secretly giving them a dowry so they could marry. His popularity increased in the centuries following his death, and by the medieval period he was a beloved model of Christian charity invoked in a particular way during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

On his feast day, Dec. 6, children often wake up to find small gifts or treats in their shoes or Christmas stockings, a tradition which has variations across different ethnic groups. In the United States, St. Nicholas gift-giving practices are especially popular in places where large numbers of German and Dutch immigrants settled.

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