German Traditions: Nikolausabend

The holidays over here in the USA are different than in Germany. I will try to show you some German traditions - and today I will start with one pretty much every kid in Germany loves (or fears hehe): Nikolausabend! 

It's a lovely tradition that makes waiting for Christmas Eve a little easier for the kids, because it's another little holiday to look forward to before the BIG one! I know I loved it, and these days my niece and nephews enjoy it, too.

photo via: Augenblickchen_pixelio.de

Let me start off saying: Nikolaus is NOT Santa Claus. Nikolaus is a Saint, and Santa Claus is a commercialized leftover of when the dutch originally came to America. They established the colony of New Amsterdam and brought the legend and traditions of Sinterklaas with them.

So what's Nikolausabend/Nicholas Eve?

In Germany, kids might be cleaning their shoes right now. Why? Because it's "Nikolausabend" - Nicholas Eve.