Most Americans are busily buying gifts and decorating in preparation for Christmas, but pockets of residents here and there, along with many Europeans, will celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6.

Sure, jolly old St. Nick has crept his way into many Christmas celebrations, but the real St. Nicholas was the inspiration behind the early December holiday.

So Who Was The Real Saint?

Reports are varied, but it seems St. Nicholas was born between 270 and 280 A.D. in what is now Turkey. Not much is known about him, but he became a priest and later the archbishop of the metropolitan church of Myra, according to Reformed Church In America's Web site.

Nicholas was known for his piety and benevolence. He was imprisoned for his faith under the emperor Diocletian, was released by Constantine, and is thought to have been present at the Council of Nicaea. His bones were preserved with great honor at Myra until the end of the 11th century, when merchants carried them off to Italy. There they remain in the Church of San Nicola at Bari, where pilgrims still come to pray, according to the RCA.

By 450, churches in Asia Minor and Greece were being named in honor of Nicholas. By 800, he was officially recognized as a saint by the Eastern Catholic Church, according to Santas.net.

Legends about St. Nicholas' generosity abound. During his life, he performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless. After his death, myths about him began to spread around the Mediterranean Sea.

Some say he saved three young girls from prostitution by secretly providing them with dowries, raised three murdered boys from the dead and saved sailors caught in stormy seas. Thus, he is considered the patron saint of children, unmarried girls, and sailors, among others, according to Women for Faith & Family.

How Is St. Nicholas Day Celebrated?

Europeans have been celebrating the good saint for centuries, each country with its own twist on tradition. But it's the Netherlands' tradition that immigrated to the United States.

According to songs about the holiday, St. Nicholas resides in Spain, spending most of the year recording the behavior of all children in a big red book.

In the Netherlands, St. Nicholas Eve includes festive family dinners, after which Sinter Klass (the Dutch pronunciation of St. Nicholas) often appears with his helper, Black Peter. They may offer cookies and candies, or give a mock lecture to children on good behavior.

In some traditions, St. Nicholas doesn't appear that night at all, but instead, a loud knock is heard and a bag of gifts is left on the doorstep.

Later that night, St. Nicholas visits each house on a white horse. He listens through the chimneys to check the children's behavior, and then jumps down the chimney flue to exchange the carrot or hay left by the children in their shoes for a small gift or some candy.

However, bad children don't receive such nice gifts. Instead, they will receive onions, coal -- or switches.

The tradition of children leaving shoes by the fireplace eventually evolved in to today's Christmas stockings.

According to The Holland Ring online, St. Nicholas Day is traditionally when people are expected to poke light-hearted fun at one another. They are also expected to make their gifts, or disguise them in a creative way -- or even hide them and leave a trail of clues. Gifts are traditionally accompanied by poems.

Additional Resources:

• Traditions from other countries
• St. Nicholas recipes, family activities
• Songs, celebration ideas from RCA.org
• More legends of St. Nicholas
• More on St. Nicholas history from Santas.net