one of the most plausible explanations is that it’s a variation on the old tradition of leaving out shoes with hay inside them on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas’s feast day. Lucky ...

The traditional Feast of St. Nicholas under the Orthodox calendar ... "The exchange of cultural traditions rooted in the millennium-old history of the two countries, is required to overcome ...

His feast day is Dec. 6 ... In Europe, where the St. Nicholas traditions originated, it's customary to leave shoes or stockings for St. Nick to fill with treats such as oranges, chocolate coins ...