St. Nicholas (December 6th) - Sw. Miko) - Niepokalane Poczecie
Polish children don't have to wait until Christmas for their gifts.  In Poland the equal of Santa Claus comes on the ever of his feast-the ever of St. Nicholas.  And he is expected there in much the same way as he is here in America-by the good with joy, by the bad with fear.  Dressed in a long gown, with a tall head-piece imitative of the Episcopal miter on his head, and a long pole fashioned into a crosier in his hand, and some man of the village visits from home to home, there listening to the children recite their catechism, reminding them of their misdemeanors, threatening them with his staff, complimenting and praising the good, and distributing apples, cookies, cakes, and holy pictures to all.