Shortly before the holiday Ukrainian children, often with the help of their parents, write letters to Saint Nicholas where they list all their dearest wishes – material (new toys or other goods) and spiritual (health and happiness for parents, relatives and friends). The fulfillment of the material wish depends on the child’s behavior during the year. St. Nicholas would definitely prepare the present for those who behaved well but even those who did not can expect something pleasant in case they promise try better next year. On this occasion, women bake round cookies called ‘mykolaychyky’ with different fillings and decorations. These cookies are put under the children’s pillows as sweet presents for the holiday and are given to all the friends and relatives as a wish of joy and health.

St. Nicholas’ Day presents can be different. It is up to parents to decide what gift to put under the child’s pillow (sweets, toys or book, for example). Of course, many parents consider their children’s wishes when they choose a gift. This holiday is often associated with numerous charity events, fundraisers and gift drives for orphaned children and people who find themselves in need. In Western Ukraine there is a good tradition of putting a wish-tree in the local churches with letters from orphans and their wishes for St. Nicholas day gifts attached to the trees’ branches. The parishioners are welcome to take a letter from the tree and arrange a gift for the child who doesn’t have parents to support all his/her gift wishes.

St. Nicholas’ Day is a time of great fun in Ukraine. On this day, people invite guests and have family dinners. Parents and grandparents tell their children stories from St. Nicholas life and teach them to be as kind, laborious, charitable, honest as he was. Ukrainians believe that in the night of December 19 all their sincere wishes will be heard and fulfilled.

Some interesting fact about St. Nicholas’ Day

• Ukrainian folk tradition recognizes two Saint Nicholas figures: “cold Nicholas” and “warm Nicholas.”
• Cold Nicholas, the familiar winter saint, is believed to bring the first snow by shaking his beard. In Western Ukraine accompanied by angel and devil figures, he is celebrated with gift-giving as described above. As the patron saint of spinning, yarns and thread were brought to church to “add to his beard.”
• Celebrated in the spring, warm Nicholas, patron saint of farming, is said to walk the land to dry overly wet areas and dampen the dry. On the festival horses begin grazing in the fields, sheep are sheared, and buckwheat sowed. In port areas the festival focuses on Nicholas as patron saint of the seas. Cossacks, like the Greeks, take St. Nicholas icons when sailing the treacherous Black Sea.
• At nurseries and schools children with teachers’ help prepare different sketches, sing songs and recite poems about Saint Nicholas.
• The Hutsulschyna National Park in the Carpathians is home to the Manor of St. Nicholas, the site of a St. Nicholas festisval attended by thousands of visitors. The festival includes exhibitions of cheese horses, wool blankets and woodworking. Competitions of Christmas costumes, fairy tale characters, vocal, dance, instrumental and folk art groups award winners with certificates and gifts. All entrants are given sweet treats. 
• Letters to St. Nicholas come to the Manor — each receives a response from the saint. Assistants from the park and the Yabluniv Youth Arts Center help with the work. When there is need, charities are contacted so no child is left out.