St. Nicholas's day observed by 80 percent of adult Slovaks

Eight out of ten adult Slovaks marked Saint Nicholas's Day (which was on December 6) this year by presenting gifts to their loved ones, according to an internet survey carried out by the Slovak National Panel. According to panel director Rudolf Dymak, the results confirm that the feast has retained much of its popularity in Slovakia. Of those who don't observe the day, half said that they don't do so because they don't have any children, while the remaining said that they are against spooking children. St. Nicholas usually appears wearing bishop-like vestments, accompanied by an angel and a devil. Children who have been good throughout the year are given sweets, while those who are said to have been naughty get coal. Around 20 percent of households are visited by the traditional St. Nicholas entourage, while in other households presents are given in a different way, mainly without the fanfare, slipping the sweets into boots overnight.