Table Setting for St. Nicholas Day

The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. Santa Claus is itself derived in part from the Dutch Sinterklaas.

Growing up in Switzerland Saint Nicholas would come to our house and bring a bag filled with nuts, mandarins, dried dates and figs, gingerbread and of course little chocolates. In many regions people of all ages celebrate in the evening in the forest with a bond fire.

It’s a wonderful tradition.

Material

Clementines
Colorful party candles
Paper Nicholas figure

You can also add a variety of nuts and small chocolates wrapped in colorful foil, apples, and oranges.

Arranged in a beautiful glass bowl are just a handful of fruit and two pine cones. Note how my friend Helga framed the fruit display with evergreen and some more pine cones. It’s easy to produce and it looks very elegant.

2007