What Gift Should You Give for St. Nicholas Day?

A St. Nicholas Day gift can be a small game, a book, or a sweet treat chosen to make December 6 special—not to compete with Christmas. Depending on your family and where you live, the holiday may be a small moment in December or the main gift-giving occasion for kids.

December 6 and local traditions

Many families celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6, while in the Netherlands gifts often arrive on the evening of December 5. Before choosing a gift or deciding when to give it, ask which tradition the family follows.

In parts of Europe where the holiday is well established, parades, visits from St. Nicholas, and candy handouts are part of the season. At home, some children leave their shoes out the night before. Depending on the family’s story, they may also leave a carrot for St. Nicholas’s animal companion.

In Belgium, children often find their gifts on the morning of December 6. In the Netherlands, the gift-giving evening, called pakjesavond, usually takes place on December 5. Funny poems or handmade wrapping may accompany the presents.

How St. Nicholas Day differs from Christmas depends on the household: it may be a small gesture in one family and the main gift-giving celebration in another. Christmas falls on December 25 and has its own religious and family traditions. There’s no need to plan two equally big gift exchanges.

If you’re giving chocolate, speculoos cookies, or other treats, check the ingredients, known allergies, and whether they’re appropriate for the child’s age. See official guidance on feeding children (American Academy of Pediatrics), and ask the parents if you’re not sure.

What’s a reasonable budget without doubling Christmas spending?

If St. Nicholas Day is a small celebration in your family, plan on $5 to $20 per child. These are general Seizenn guidelines, not the results of a survey.

That range isn’t a spending requirement. A thoughtfully chosen used book and a personal note can be plenty. If St. Nicholas brings the main gifts in your family, set a total December budget first and then divide it between occasions.

How the family celebrates	Budget guideline	Possible gift
A small gesture	$5 to $10	A small book or creative activity
A small celebration separate from Christmas	$10 to $20	A compact game or two small treats
The main gift-giving occasion	Based on the family’s December budget	One main gift, without automatically doubling up at Christmas

Also account for gifts for siblings, wrapping, and any shipping costs. The right budget is one you can comfortably stick to and explain without cutting back elsewhere.

This year, we’re keeping St. Nicholas Day small and saving the main gift for Christmas. One small present per child is perfect.

Six small gifts that make a great fit

Choose something the child can use on December 6: a book to read together, a quick game, or an activity that’s easy to get started. Check the age guidance from the manufacturer, and ask the parents what the child already has—especially if you’re not up to date on their current interests.

There’s no need to fill a shoe just for the sake of it. Look for something easy to carry, put away, and enjoy together.

• A winter or holiday-themed book. A children’s book about St. Nicholas is a fun way to share the tradition without turning the evening into a history lesson. Check the language and how long it is.
• A game for family time. A kids’ card game works well as a small gift. Check the player count and listed play time.
• An afternoon activity. A kids’ stamp set gives them something to do right away. Check what’s included, and protect the table before getting started.
• Something for a favorite hobby. A spiral-bound sketchbook is a good pick for a kid who draws everywhere. Choose a size that’s easy to slip into a bag.
• A low-key challenge. An animal puzzle for kids is a good choice if the difficulty matches the child’s experience, not just the age on the box.
• A nod to tradition. A St. Nicholas cookie cutter can be the start of a baking activity to enjoy together, with an adult helping out.

You can also find these gifts from makers, at local shops, or secondhand. For a used game, check the pieces, instructions, and overall condition. You can add these finds to a Seizenn gift list with a link and a helpful note about the model you want.

When should you set out the shoes and give the gift?

Get the gift ready a few days ahead, then check with the parents whether to leave it out on the evening of December 5 or give it on December 6. If you won’t see each other then, simply say you’ll give it the following weekend—no need to invent a mysterious delivery that could complicate the family’s story.

Here’s a simple timeline you can adapt:

1. One to two weeks ahead: Ask about family traditions, gift ideas, and the budget they have in mind.
2. A few days ahead: Buy or prepare the gift, check that everything is included, and wrap it.
3. The night before: Set out the shoes or prepare the usual spot, if that’s part of your family’s tradition.
4. On the chosen day: Set aside time to open the gift and use it together.

There’s no need for a big production. A package by the shoes, a short story, and a game together can be enough.

Do you celebrate St. Nicholas on the evening of the 5th or the morning of the 6th? I’d love to bring a small gift and follow your family’s tradition.

If the child doesn’t like people in costume, don’t force a meeting. You can celebrate at home without a visit or a photo they don’t want.

How can you coordinate with family without spoiling the surprise?

Give family and friends a heads-up one to two weeks before December 6, and say whether you’re planning a small treat or the main gift of the season. To avoid duplicates with Christmas gifts, share a few clearly labeled ideas and ask everyone to check what’s already planned before buying.

On Seizenn, the free gift-list service, you can make a Christmas list and add St. Nicholas Day ideas from different stores, too. Add a note like “for December 6,” include a size, or write “similar item is fine,” as needed.

You can then create a list for the December holidays and share one link. Friends and family can browse the list and reserve gifts without creating an account. Purchases, shipping, and returns are handled directly by the store.

Here are a few ideas for St. Nicholas Day and Christmas. The notes say which occasion each gift is for; there’s no pressure to buy anything—it’s mostly to avoid duplicates.

The takeaway

Keep it simple: follow the family’s tradition, set your budget before you start shopping, and choose something that suits the child. The gift matters less than spending time together, especially if you take a few minutes to read, play, or explore the new gift with them.

• Confirm the date: often December 6, but the evening of December 5 in the Netherlands.
• Ask whether St. Nicholas Day is a small celebration or the main gift-giving occasion.
• Choose a book, compact game, or activity they can use right away.
• Check age guidance, what’s included, and whether someone else has already bought it.
• Coordinate with family and friends without making gift-giving feel like an obligation.
• Don’t automatically double your budget just because Christmas is coming up.