Saint Nicholas was the former Bishop of Turkey and the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, thieves, children and students (also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker).
His reputation for secret gift giving to those in need became the inspiration for the modern day Santa Claus. He was also known for putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.
Catholic and Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Nicholas Day in various ways around the world on December 6th, the day of his death in AD 343. The Christmas traditions of hanging stockings, candy canes, and giving to charity all have roots in the history of St. Nicholas.
In Germany, children put a boot called Nikolaus-Stiefel (Nikolaus boot) outside the front door on the night of 5 December. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts and sweets overnight, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good, polite and helpful the last year. If they were not, they will have a tree branch (Rute) in their boots instead. Sometimes a disguised Nikolaus also visits the children at school or in their homes and asks them if they have been good, handing out presents on the basis of their behavior.
Source: Ultimate holiday, Wikipedia
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