Legend has it that when St. Nicolas was born and was put into the pool to be washed, the child stood up by himself for two hours, clasped his hands and raised his eyes toward the sky.

The character of Saint Nicolas, now associated with Santa Claus, comes from Nicolas de Myre, also called Nicolas of Bari. Born in Petara in the south-west of Turkey between 250 and 270 AD, this bishop was the protector of children, widows and people in difficulty. Dressed in a large white cotton dress, a long red cape, white gloves and a pointed headdress called "miter", Saint Nicolas was known for his generosity and kindness. He is credited with having raised three children who had been killed by a butcher.

The legend of Saint Nicholas has been celebrated in Germany since the 16th century. Over the centuries, with the evolution of the religious practices of Christmas and the prohibition to disguise as a bishop pronounced by the Church, Saint Nicolas gradually lost his attributes of bishop to become the Weihnachtsmann, the Santa Claus we all know.

In Northern Europe, children use to put a sock in front of the fireplace where Saint Nicolas will drop their presents. In order to thank him, they place a glass of mulled wine or sugared milk, as well as carrots for his mule. During his visits, Saint-Nicolas is very often accompanied by his threatening version, Bogeyman. Responsible for punishing turbulent children, the latter only distributes unappealing gifts: coal, potatoes, beets or onions. On the other hand, Saint Nicolas, dressed in his bishop's costume, goes into the houses to gift wise children with a large range of sweets, dried fruits, chocolates and ginger bread.