In North America and Western Europe the Evangelical Church transferred this tradition to Christmas Day, making Saint Nicholas Santa Clause. Nowadays Croatia has adopted the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas Day but those gifts are said to be brought by Baby Jesus, not Santa Clause.
Different regions in Croatia have different Saints, in Northern and Central Croatia it's St. Nicholas that brings gifts.
The tradition for St. Nicholas day is like so; on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children polish a pair of boots and place them on a window sill for Saint Nicholas to fill. Saint Nicholas fills good children's boots with fruits, sweets and gifts. Krampus, a devil creature who accompanies Saint Nicholas, leaves golden twigs for naughty children - the naughtier the child the larger the twig. Every child gets a twig as a warning along with their sweets.
When I arrived home Friday night, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, this was awaiting me. My host mom had it put out for me as a little something for St. Nicholas Day. It's not my polished boots but a stocking hung on the window filled with sweets. I didn't get a golden twig so i must be very good and not need any warnings.
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