Eduard Abashia, a lecturer at the Psychology Department of the Dnipro Institute of PJSC HEI "MAUP", a legal expert, and psychologist at the Amur-Nyzhniodniprovskyi District Office of the State Institution "Probation Center" in the Dnipropetrovsk region, provides the following information. One of the most popular and beloved winter holidays in Ukraine is Saint Nicholas Day. It can be said that this is the Ukrainian version of Santa Claus, where Saint Nicholas brings something more than just gifts for children - this day marks the beginning of the winter holiday season in Ukraine. It is a special holiday for children and adults. Unlike Western Christian countries, where it is celebrated on December 6, in Ukraine and other Eastern Christian countries, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 19.

The tradition of celebrating this holiday came to Ukraine with Christianity during the reign of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavovych (1088 - 1089). Saint Nicholas has always been considered a protector of children. The tradition of giving gifts to children, relatives, and those in need existed precisely on December 19.

In Ukrainian folk tradition, there are two images of Saint Nicholas: "Cold Nicholas" and "Warm Nicholas".

Cold Nicholas, the familiar winter saint, is believed to bring the first snow by shaking his beard. In Western Ukraine, he is honored accompanied by figures of an angel and a devil, distributing gifts. As a patron of spinning, people would bring yarn and threads to the church to "add to his beard".

Warm Nicholas is celebrated in spring, a patron of agriculture, who is believed to walk the earth to dry overly wet areas and moisturize dry ones. During the holiday, people begin to drive horses to the fields, shear sheep, and sow buckwheat. In port areas, the holiday is dedicated to Nicholas as the patron of the seas. Cossacks, like Greeks, would take icons of Saint Nicholas with them on voyages across the treacherous Black Sea.

In kindergartens and schools, children prepare various scenes, sing songs, and recite poems about Saint Nicholas with the help of teachers.