Article: The Best St. Nicholas Day Gifts for Every Age
The Best St. Nicholas Day Gifts for Every Age
St. Nicholas Day is December 6, and in a lot of Catholic homes it's the sweet little gift day tucked into early Advent. On the night of the 5th, kids set their shoes by the door (or hang a stocking), and in the morning they find a few small treats left by the good bishop.
The tradition comes from the real St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop of Myra who quietly tossed bags of gold through a poor family's window so the three daughters could marry. That's why oranges and gold coins show up in so many St. Nick's shoes. They stand in for the gold.
We pulled together our favorite shoe-sized (and a few not-so-shoe-sized) gifts, sorted by age, so you can fill every shoe in the house without a lot of guesswork. This year December 6 falls on a Sunday, so shoes go out Saturday night. Looking for ideas for the day itself? Here are our simple ways to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas.
For Every Shoe: The St. Nicholas Orange Surprise Ball (Ages 3+)
If you only grab one thing, make it this. Oranges are the classic St. Nick's shoe treat because they stand in for the bishop's gold, so we made one kids can unwrap.
Our St. Nicholas Orange Surprise Ball is a crepe paper orange that kids unwind layer by layer, finding six little treasures as they go:
- A St. Nicholas prayer card
- A gold foil bishop's mitre to wear
- A jingle bell necklace
- A St. Nicholas temporary tattoo
- A candy cane sticker and a water bottle sticker
Get one for every kid in the house (and the cousins, and the classroom). It fits right in the toe of a shoe, and the mess of orange streamers on the floor is half the fun.
A quick note: there are small pieces inside, so the surprise ball is best for ages 3 and up. For the littlest ones, jump to the baby list below.
New Pajamas for the Whole Crew
A lot of families do new Christmas pajamas on St. Nicholas Day instead of Christmas Eve, so the kids get to wear them all through Advent. Our Nativity pajamas are made for exactly that.
The print tells the whole Christmas story, from the Annunciation and the journey to Bethlehem all the way to the three kings and the Holy Family heading to Egypt. They're 100% organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified, and not treated with flame retardants. The warm neutral colors are a nice change from the usual red and green, and they hold up well enough to pass down. Every size comes in the same print, so siblings match.
Nativity Christmas Pajamas Zipper Romper
Sizes 0-3 months to 18-24 months. For babies, and the zipper makes middle of the night changes so much easier.
Nativity Christmas Pajamas (Long Johns)
Sizes 2T to 6/7. Classic long johns for toddlers and little kids.
Nativity Christmas Button Down Pajamas
Sizes 4/5 to 12. For older kids. If you have a 4 to 7 year old, both the long johns and the button down come in their size, so you can pick whichever style they like best.
Babies (0 to 2)
Baby won't remember their first St. Nick's, but you will.
Jesus Plush Rattle Doll
A squishy first Jesus doll with a rattle inside. There's a Mary version too if you want a pair.
Jesus Lovey Blanket
A little blankie for nap time and car rides. This is the one that ends up going everywhere.
Keys to the Kingdom Silicone Teethers
Chewable silicone keys inspired by Matthew 16:19, in Sage or Blush. Perfect for a teething baby who already grabs your real keys.
Baby's First Book of Jesus Crinkle Book
A soft crinkle book they can chew on and “read” all by themselves.
Meal Blessing Silicone Bib
The Bless Us O Lord prayer right on the bib, for the baby who's just starting solids.
And don't forget the Nativity Zipper Romper so they match their big brothers and sisters.
Toddlers (2 to 4)
Toddlers want something they can carry around and show you twelve times a day. Mix one or two of these in with the orange ball.
Nativity or Fruit of the Spirit Wooden Puzzle
The Nativity Wooden Puzzle is perfect for the season, with the Holy Family, the three kings and the star. The Fruit of the Spirit Wooden Puzzle has nine chunky fruit pieces for love, joy, peace and the rest. More designs (Good Shepherd, Guardian Angel, St. Francis) are here.
My First Jesus or Mary Notebook
Die-cut notebooks shaped like Jesus and Mary, with a little handle so they can carry them everywhere. Great for first drawings and pretending to take notes at Mass.
Jesus Night Light
A soft silicone touch lamp shaped like Jesus, and one of our best sellers. A gentle reminder that Jesus is right there when the lights go out.
Jesus and Mary Water Bottles
Stainless steel, and the 13.5oz size is just right for little hands.
Jesus Heals Hot & Cold Ice Packs
A set of three round gingham gel packs. Freeze them for bumps or warm them up for tummy aches. Toddlers get a lot of bumps.
Jesus Heals Bandages®
A tin of 40 sterile bandages in faith-filled designs. Fair warning, your toddler will suddenly have a lot of boo boos.
Jesus Reusable Snack Bags
A set of three. Fill one with a few chocolate coins and drop it in the shoe.
Kids (5 to 12)
This is the sweet spot for St. Nick's. They're old enough to get excited about the saint himself and still young enough to race to their shoes in the morning.
DIY Rosary Kits
They string their own rosary, then actually want to pray with it. Pick from Our Lady of Lourdes (new this year), St. Francis, St. Carlo Acutis, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mary's Prayer. Add a Rosary Pouch so it doesn't end up at the bottom of a backpack.
Jesus and Mary Notebooks
The die-cut notebooks from the toddler list are just as popular with big kids, for prayer lists or the secret journal they don't want you reading.
Saints Water Bottle
Great for school and sports. The Jesus and Mary bottles work here too, and older kids will probably want the bigger 18.6oz size.
Stick On Earrings
No piercing needed, in Marian and Christian designs. These are a huge hit with little girls who want to feel fancy for Mass.
Miraculous Medal Children's Necklace
A kid-friendly Miraculous Medal in multicolor, blue or pearl. A good way to start the habit of wearing a medal.
Trinity Hot & Cold Gel Packs
A set of three shaped like Jesus, a Holy Spirit dove and a rainbow, with “Jesus Heals,” “Holy Spirit Comforts” and “God Makes All Things New” on the back.
Jesus Heals Bandages® Fabric Cottage Collection
Bandages are still a favorite at this age, and the fabric ones are great for active kids.
And the Jesus Night Light from the toddler list? Big kids still like a little light at night. They just might not say so.
Teens
Teens might act too cool for St. Nick, but nobody is too cool for a full shoe. Go for things they'll actually use every day.
Marian Quilted Bags
New this fall, in blue and cream check with gold Marian monograms and a little woven Totus Tuus label. The Flat Zipper Pouch is great for pencils or chargers, the Stars Striped Make Up Bag fits right in a backpack, and the Toiletry Bag is perfect for sleepovers and retreats. Or grab the set of 3 and split them between sisters.
Sacred Heart and Catholic Devotions Journals
The Sacred Heart Journal and Catholic Devotions Journal are both teen favorites, and there are more designs here. A journal is a low pressure way to nudge them toward praying on their own.
Rosary Pouch
Vegan leather with a gold embossed Marian cross. Small enough for a backpack or purse.
Catholic Pilgrim Passport Holder & Luggage Tag
For the teen with a mission trip, pilgrimage or study abroad on the calendar.
Miraculous Medal Silk Scarf
The splurge pick for an older teen girl who's starting to build her own style.
And don't skip the water bottles. The 18.6oz size is the one that gets them through school and practice.
Don't Forget the Grown-Ups
St. Nick has been known to leave a little something in mom and dad's shoes too.
Mary's Way of Advent
Prayers and practices to help you slow down this Advent instead of just surviving it.
2027 Liturgical Calendar
The whole Church year on your wall, ready for January.
Ceramic Holy Water Bottle
A pretty way to keep holy water by the front door.
Get it There by December 5
Shoes go out Saturday night, December 5. Order by November 24th so everything arrives in time. Shipping is free in the continental US on orders over $75, and a set of orange balls plus pajamas for the kids gets you there fast.
You can find all of this and more in our Holiday Shop. St. Nicholas, pray for us!
