The Story of Saint Nicholas

A number of stories and legends surround the history of Saint Nicholas's exploits in giving gifts, and the most famous of these is the gift he gave to a poor man's three daughters;
Although there are many alternatives to the story.

A poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them which meant they had no money, goods or estate to bring to a suitable husband for marriage.

This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes to attempt to earn this money together.

Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him.
He went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses filled with gold coins through the window opening onto the man's floor for the daughters dowry settlement for marriage.


A medieval fresco depicting Saint Nicholas.
Image Source: Wikipedia St. Nicholas Article

Odin & Sleipnir

In Germany prior to it's Christianization by the church one of their major gods was the Norse god Odin who was associated with the concept of the Wild Hunt. A noisy, bellowing movement across the sky, leading a host of slain warriors.

Commonly depicted as a mysterious old man with a beard who would ride on an eight legged horse named Sleipnir leading the hunt across the skies during the festival of Yule.
Yule is the German version of Christmas

Children would place their boots, filled with carrots, straw or sugar, near the chimney for Odin's flying horse, Sleipnir, to eat as it made the trip across the skies leading the warriors to Valhalla.

Odin would then reward those children for their kindness by replacing Sleipnir's food with gifts or candy.



7th century depiction of Odin.
Image Source: Wikipedia Odin Article