On the night of Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 December 2026, the Kleeschen – Luxembourg’s St Nicholas – pays his annual visit. But the excitement starts long before that. For days beforehand, children leave a slipper outside their bedroom door, hoping to find a little treat inside the next morning.
To help you get ready, we’ve rounded up everything you need: small surprises for the slipper, gift ideas by theme and age, tips for every budget, and the easiest ways to make sure your order arrives on time. All from shops across Luxembourg, on Letzshop.
St Nicholas 2026: the key dates
This year, St Nicholas Day falls on a Sunday, so the Kleeschen will come on the night of Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 December. It also means there’s no extra day off for primary school children.
- Late November: children start leaving their slipper outside their bedroom door at night. On some mornings, a small treat is waiting for them.
- The days before 6 December: the Kleeschen visits schools, and many towns hold a St Nicholas parade.
- The night of 5 to 6 December: time for the main present, tucked into the slipper or left right beside it.
Our tip: choose the main present by mid-November and stock up on slipper treats before the end of the month. Hoping to bag a bargain along the way? You’ll find all the deals in our Black Friday guide.
Kleeschen and Houseker: the tradition in a nutshell
In Luxembourg, St Nicholas goes by the name of Kleeschen, and his day is one of the highlights of the year for children. In many families, it’s when the first presents of the winter arrive – well before Christmas.
Forget Christmas stockings: here, children leave out a slipper. And the Kleeschen never travels alone. He’s accompanied by the Houseker, his dark-robed sidekick. Tradition has it that good children receive toys and sweets, while those who’ve been a little too cheeky might find a twig in their slipper instead.
In the days leading up to 6 December, the Kleeschen visits classrooms, where children sing him traditional songs and are rewarded with sweets and gingerbread.
New to Luxembourg? The Kleeschen is a lovely way to share a local tradition with your children. Find out more on the official portal luxembourg.public.lu.
Filling the slipper: little treats from the Kleeschen
The slipper gets filled several nights in a row, so it pays to have a few small surprises up your sleeve. Chocolate is the undisputed classic: a chocolate Kleeschen, a handful of pralines, tangerines and gingerbread make up the traditional St Nicholas slipper.
To keep things interesting, add a little something to play with now and then: stickers, a funny eraser, coloured pencils or a small figurine. Handed out night after night, these treats build the excitement all the way to 6 December.
Keen to shop local? Chocolatiers, pastry shops and confectioners from all over Luxembourg sell their creations on Letzshop.
→ Browse chocolates · Sweets & chocolate · Stationery · Craft kits · Figurines · Made in Luxembourg
Gift ideas for the Kleeschen, by theme
Toys, books, video games, arts and crafts, clothing: here are the six most popular gift themes for St Nicholas, each with a recommended age range and the Letzshop categories to explore.
Toys & games (recommended age: 3 to 14)
The most eagerly awaited category of all. Building sets, figurines, toy cars, wooden toys, puzzles and board games: Luxembourg’s shops offer durable toys, chosen with care. Older children aren’t forgotten either, with strategy and murder mystery games, technical building kits, 1,000-piece jigsaws and remote-controlled drones.
Why they’ll love it: they get to make up stories, build and explore at their own pace.
Tip for parents: go for open-ended toys such as building sets or figurines, which children reinvent every time they play. Board games are a bonus, bringing the whole family round the table.
→ Browse toys & games · Board games
By age: 3 years · 4 years · 5 years · 6 years · 7 years · 8 years · 9 years · 10 years · 12 years · 14 years
Babies & toddlers (recommended age: 0 to 2)
For the littlest ones, it’s all about comfort and first discoveries: rattles, sensory toys, cuddly toys, play mats, and cloth or board books.
Why they’ll love it: textures to touch, sounds to discover and colours that capture their attention.
Tip for parents: choose sturdy, easy-to-clean toys with no small parts, and always check the age guidance on the product page.
→ Browse baby toys · Baby activity toys · Rattles · Toys from 18 months
Video games (recommended age: 7 and up)
A new game is at the top of many older children’s wish lists. Adventure, racing, platformers or co-op games: there’s something for every console and every skill level.
Why they’ll love it: solving puzzles, exploring imaginary worlds and playing together.
Tip for parents: check the PEGI age rating on the box or product page, and look for games the whole family can enjoy. It’s also worth agreeing on screen-time limits together.
Children’s books (recommended age: 0 to 12)
A book is a gift that lasts. Bookshops across the country stock picture books, fairy tales, early readers, comics and children’s novels, in several languages including French, German and Luxembourgish.
Why they’ll love it: escaping into other worlds and catching up with their favourite characters night after night.
Tip for parents: a bedtime story is the perfect ritual for long winter evenings. Board books are ideal for little ones, while keen readers will love starting a new series.
→ Browse children’s books · Ages 0–3 · Ages 3–6 · Ages 6–10
Arts & crafts (recommended age: 6 and up)
Colouring books, modelling clay, beads, paints, craft kits: St Nicholas is the perfect excuse to give something hands-on.
Why they’ll love it: making something that’s all their own – and proudly showing it off.
Tip for parents: crafts help develop fine motor skills and concentration, away from screens. Check the age on the kit, as some contain small parts or tools.
→ Browse craft kits · Arts & hobbies · Stationery
Children’s clothing (all ages)
Pyjamas, jumpers, hats, gloves, coats: warm, stylish clothes make a great alternative to toys, especially in the depths of winter.
Why they’ll love it: comfy outfits for playing outside and snuggling up at home.
Tip for parents: check the size guide on the product page and size up if in doubt – children grow fast.
Gift ideas by age: what to give each child
A four-year-old and a 14-year-old are unlikely to want the same thing. Use this table for inspiration, and always check the recommended age on the product page before you order.
| Age | What they enjoy | Where to look |
| 0 to 2 | Activity toys, rattles, cuddly toys, cloth books, bath toys | Baby activity toys · Toys 18 months · Books ages 0–3 |
| 3 to 5 | Pretend play, figurines, toy cars, first puzzles, picture books | Toys 3 years · 4 years · 5 years · Books ages 3–6 |
| 6 to 8 | Building sets, craft kits, card games, early readers | Toys 6 years · 7 years · 8 years · Books ages 6–10 |
| 9 to 12 | Strategy games, science kits, sports gear, age-appropriate video games | Toys 9 years · 10 years · 12 years · Board games |
| 13 to 16 | Strategy and mystery games, big jigsaws, music, fashion, skincare, sport, novels, video games | Games 14 years · Audio · Video games · Novels |
Even once they’ve stopped believing in the Kleeschen, many teenagers still enjoy the tradition at home – and a gift linked to their hobby always goes down well.
St Nicholas gifts for every budget
Under €15: a well-stocked slipper
Chocolates, gingerbread, small craft items, stickers or a little book. Perfect for the surprises in the run-up to 6 December – or for nieces, nephews and godchildren.
→ Toys & games under €15 · Chocolates under €15 · Children’s books under €15
€15 to €40: a present they’ll treasure
A board game, a jigsaw, a craft kit, a wooden toy or a beautiful comic book. The sweet spot for the Kleeschen’s main present.
→ Toys & games from €15 to €40 · Board games from €15 to €40 · Craft kits from €15 to €40
Over €40: the big one
A large building set, a video game, a science kit or a pair of headphones for older children. It’s worth coordinating with the rest of the family, as Christmas is just around the corner.
→ Toys & games over €40 · Building sets over €40 · Video games over €40 · Audio over €40
Getting your order in time: delivery or Click & Collect
On Letzshop, there are two ways to receive your gifts. The options depend on each shop and are shown on the product page and at checkout.
Home delivery
Your order is delivered to the address of your choice in Luxembourg, as well as in Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Delivery times vary by shop and product, and most deliveries take place on weekdays.
As 6 December falls on a Sunday, aim to have your parcel delivered before the weekend of 5 and 6 December. And if the present needs to stay a surprise, choose a delivery address where the children won’t see it arrive.
Click & Collect
Order online and pick up your parcel in store, during the shop’s opening hours. It’s ideal for last-minute shopping – and a great way to discover a shop near you.
Tips for stress-free shopping
- Check the delivery time shown before you go to checkout.
- Buy from several shops in a single basket.
- Not sure when your order will arrive? Get in touch with the shop before you buy.
- Shopping on Saturday 5 December? Pick a shop that offers Click & Collect and check its opening hours.
Still undecided? Let them choose
Still not sure, or does the wish list change every day? A Letzshop gift voucher lets them choose for themselves from more than 400 Luxembourg shops. And it fits neatly into a slipper.
→ Give a Letzshop gift voucher
A Kleeschen who shops local
Chocolates for the slipper, toys, books or video games: every St Nicholas gift you buy on Letzshop supports a business in Luxembourg. With Letzshop, you can:
- discover Made in Luxembourg products and shops near you;
- buy from several shops in a single basket;
- choose between home delivery and Click & Collect;
- support local businesses and more sustainable shopping.
Plan the main present by mid-November and start filling the slipper at the end of the month. And once the Kleeschen has been, it’ll be time to start thinking about Christmas.
FAQ: St Nicholas Day 2026 in Luxembourg
St Nicholas Day falls on Sunday 6 December 2026. The Kleeschen brings presents on the night of Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 December.
From late November, children leave a slipper outside their bedroom door at night. The Kleeschen slips a small treat inside, before the main present arrives on 6 December.
Chocolates, tangerines, gingerbread and small surprises such as stickers, pencils or figurines. Save the main present for the night of 5 to 6 December.
Popular choices include toys and games, children’s books, video games, craft kits, warm winter clothes and gifts for babies. For the slipper, stick to chocolates and small surprises.
There’s no set rule. Under €15 is usually enough to fill the slipper, while €15 to €40 will get you a lovely present such as a board game, a jigsaw or a craft kit.
The Kleeschen mainly spoils children up to the age of about ten. But many families keep the tradition going with teenagers – and even among adults, with a few chocolates.
In Luxembourg, the Kleeschen is mostly about treating children to sweets and toys. Christmas, nearly three weeks later, tends to be the time for family gifts. Many parents split the wish list between the two.
On Letzshop, you can choose home delivery or Click & Collect, depending on the shop. Check the delivery time shown before you order. Click & Collect is especially handy for last-minute purchases.
Letzshop’s chocolates category brings together chocolate from shops across the country, including Luxembourg chocolatiers and confectioners.
Shopping with Luxembourg retailers supports the local economy and gives you access to carefully chosen products. On Letzshop, you can also collect your order in store with Click & Collect.
