Put your shoes at the chimney tonight, it is time.

"I knew that when we reached home after Midnight Mass I should find my shoes in the chimney-corner, filled with presents, just as when I was a little child . . . Papa, too, liked to watch my enjoyment and hear my cries of delight at each fresh surprise that came from the magic shoes, and his pleasure added to mine.”  ~ St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul.

https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/st-nicholas-and-your-shoes/

Celebrating St Nicholas with Dauwe and Bries

Dauwe and Bries, sons of my friend Katleen, have found a splendid way around controversy regarding Saint Nicholas' helpers. 
According to the legends, the good old man sends his helpers from the roof tops down the chimneys at night to deliver presents right into the good children's homes. These manoevers explain of course the helpers' faces.  There are many other versions. 
Suffice it to say that December 6 is a fun day for the kids in Belgium who all wake up earlier than usual,  curious to see what the Saint had brought them. 
I wish all of them a very happy Sinterklaas/Saint Nicolas!
I have written about the Saint Nic celebrations on December 6 before

http://whatisbelgium.blogspot.be/2011/12/saint-nicolas-sinterklaas.html

Saint Nicolas - Sinterklaas

Many bloggers are already in the Christmas spirit but here in Belgium (and in the Netherlands as well as in Northern France) we are first celebrating Saint Nicolas or Sinterklaas on December 6.

Last weekend, the Sint was meeting the young children to inquire about their wishes. 

Every year, the Sint arrives on a steamboat from Spain with his helpers. He goes from house to house on his white horse to deliver the presents to the children, but only if they have been good this past year.  On the night of December 5, the children put a shoe in front of the fireplace.   A carrot, a sugar cube, an apple  etc. is put in the shoe as a treat for Sinterklaas' horse. The next morning the carrot is gone and the children find candy or presents in their shoes. Drawings made by the children are put into the shoes as a present to Sinterklaas. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas