On 6 December, many children in Україна and across Europe wait for St Nicholas to leave them a small gift. Here is the English you need to talk about the day and send good wishes.
Key words for the day
- Saint Nicholas (St. Nicholas)The saint the day is named after. Most texts write it as St. Nicholas.
- a presentA gift. The most common everyday word for any present.
- a giftA present; slightly more formal, often for something special.
- a stockingA sock or long stocking for small presents. In Україна children often leave out черевики (boots) instead.
- a surpriseSomething you don’t expect. Common phrase: a nice surprise.
- sweetsCandy, in British English. American English usually says candy.
- chocolateUncountable: some chocolate, not a chocolate.
- a cardA greeting card with a written message inside.
- a bishopA senior church leader. Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, in what is now Turkey.
Children in many European countries leave out shoes or stockings on the night of 5 or 6 December and find small gifts or sweets in the morning. In English-speaking countries it is not a public holiday, but the figure of Santa Claus, who brings presents at Christmas, grew from the legend of this saint. That’s why Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are related. For another autumn holiday, see our post on Halloween vocabulary.
Greetings and wishes
- Happy St. Nicholas Day!Short and friendly. Good for a card or a text message.
- Wishing you a lovely St. Nicholas Day!Warmer. Good for a friend or a family member.
- Thank you for the lovely present!A quick reply when someone gives you a gift.
- Wishing you joy, love and good health.A classic phrase for a card.
- Thank you so much for the card. It was a lovely surprise.Polite and warm. Good for a colleague or a teacher.
Write the date as December 6 (American English) or 6 December (British English). Use on before a date: We celebrate on 6 December.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.Wish a friend a happy St Nicholas Day (short form).
Answer
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
2.Thank someone for a lovely present.
Answer
Thank you for the lovely present!
3.Say that they put some chocolate in a stocking.
Answer
They put some chocolate in a stocking.
Want to say these phrases naturally, not like a textbook? Book a free trial lesson at Slay School and practise greetings and holiday talk in a live conversation.
