'''Saint Nicholas''' (A.D. 280-343) was born to a wealthy couple in present-day Turkey. When he inherited wealth from his parents after they died, Nicholas gave it generously to the poor. In one case Nicholas heard of a merchant going bankrupt and, to secure the merchant's daughters future, Nicholas threw money through the merchant's windows at night. Nicholas then made the father promise to not tell who gave the money, and this started a tradition of secret giving on the anniversary of Nicholas's death in A.D. December 6, 343. | '''Saint Nicholas''' (A.D. 280-343) was born to a wealthy couple in present-day Turkey. When he inherited wealth from his parents after they died, Nicholas gave it generously to the poor. In one case Nicholas heard of a merchant going bankrupt and, to secure the merchant's daughters future, Nicholas threw money through the merchant's windows at night. Nicholas then made the father promise to not tell who gave the money, and this started a tradition of secret giving on the anniversary of Nicholas's death in A.D. December 6, 343. |