Saint Nicholas' Day in Hungary

Saint Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra during the 4th century and became recognized as a saint within a century of his death because of the many miracles attributed to him; his reputation evolved among the faithful and later his relics were relocated to southern Italy – since then he has also been known as Nicholas of Bari and has been honoured by various different Churches.
According to some sources his wealthy parents raised him to be a devout Christian and after they died in an epidemic, he dedicated his life to serving God and used his whole inheritance to help those in need. Many stories and legends are known about his life and deeds, the most important accounts saying that his contemporaries suspected that he was behind a large number of anonymous gifts given to the sick and the suffering so after his death people in the region continued to secretely give to the poor in his behalf. Beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need, Saint Nicholas' example lived on and later medieval nuns used the anniversary of his death to remember his generosity by depositing baskets of food and clothes at the doorsteps of the needy and expecting nothing in return.

Celebrated on the 6th of December in most of Europe Saint Nicholas is an extraordinary character similar to and possibly the model for Santa Claus, and his existence helps preserve a Christmas that focuses on the religious holiday linked to Jesus rather than the material surprises.
Nicholas' (in Hungarian: Miklós) holiday called "Mikulás" is a very important festivity for Hungarians, usually celebrated on a small scale with simple presents given to children by their parents. As the legend says that Nicholas’ bags of gold were tossed through open windows and landed in stockings or shoes left by the fire to dry, the custom is for kids to place their polished boots on the windowsill waiting for St. Nicholas, dressed in a red bishop's cloak, to come and fill them with treats by next morning. Treats have traditionally been sweets and fruit but nowadays chocolate Santa figures and small toys are more common.
Saint Nicholas knows everything about each child, so they all get what they deserve: good boys and girls receive candy and bad ones get a lump of coal as a warning to improve their behaviour by next year; and everyone is given a twig called "virgács" left by the old man's elf companion, a little devil called "Krampusz", to remind them that nobody is perfect.