St Nicholas Day Gift Ideas for Small Surprises and Sweet Treats

If your kid loves a surprise, the blind-bag LEGO Minifigures Series 26 Space makes a perfect St. Nicholas Day reveal. We found the printed starfield bases and the variety of unique space characters and elements feel special for such a small gift. Just know the blind format makes specific figures tough to land—and rare ones are especially elusive—so budget for a few bags. During our review, we also saw some retailers price above MSRP, making local comparison shopping worthwhile.

Turning toothbrushing into a mini surprise works with these Disney Princess brushes—our testers liked the soft bristles for sensitive gums and the color-changing bristles that signal when it’s time to replace. The character designs help reluctant brushers engage, and at $5.79 they’re great tucked alongside a chocolate coin. A couple caveats: some orders arrive with duplicate or unexpected characters, and the head and handle run small for kids around six and up. For younger children, though, they’re a snug, comfortable fit.

Clementines are a classic St. Nicholas shoe surprise, and this 5 lb bag delivered sweet, juicy segments that our testers polished off quickly. The easy-to-peel size and usually seedless fruit make them kid-friendly, and at $3.99 it’s a budget-friendly way to treat the whole family. That said, quality can swing with the season—our experience shows some bags run dry, bland, or occasionally mushy. Check for firmness, bright color, and a fresh scent to maximize shelf life once home.

This 5-inch Mini St. Nicholas slips perfectly into shoes or stockings, and during our review the embroidery and custom fabrics looked far more premium than the $14.99 price suggests. It’s surface-washable and safety certified for US/Canada, so parents can feel comfortable handing it to little ones. Just remember the mini scale—at roughly five inches, it’s more charm than cuddle buddy, and handmade construction means small variations. Seasonal demand can spike, so our experience shows availability may be limited near the feast day.

A Tiny Saints charm is a cheerful little add-on for a backpack or zipper pull, and in our testing the soft PVC stood up to rain and daily jostling. The metal clasp makes it easy to move between keys and bags, and at $6.99 it’s a budget-friendly token for St. Nicholas Day. Keep in mind it’s very small, with less detail than larger figurines, and it can be a choking hazard. We recommend it for older kids who won’t mouth accessories.

If you want a larger keepsake, the Daywind Saint Nicholas Plush feels special in person—during our review, the embroidery and custom fabrics stood out on the shelf. It’s tagged with feast day and patronage info, making it a ready-to-gift teaching moment for St. Nicholas Day, and at $24.99 it feels like a keepsake purchase. The plush is surface-washable only and handmade, so expect minor variations and a height anywhere from about 9–12 inches. Some older kids may find that size small for snuggling, but it’s perfect for display and play.

Slip a little faith into their shoe with this Pocket Prayers keychain set—15 waterproof mini prayer cards that survived backpack tosses and drizzle in our testing. The compact stack and travel clip make it easy to attach to keys or a zipper pull, and it arrives gift-ready at just $5.99, perfect for St. Nicholas Day. Do note the cards and clip arrive unassembled and include small parts, so an adult should set it up for kids 3+. Text and illustrations are tiny, which our experience shows may challenge early readers.

A cozy pick for St. Nick morning walks, the Carhartt Kids’ Acrylic Watch Hat brings brand-name warmth and durability. In our testing, it held up to playground duty and comes in infant/toddler and child/youth sizes, so siblings can match. Be aware the fit can run tight and acrylic can feel scratchy for sensitive kiddos; consider sizing up or layering a soft liner. Our experience shows the knit may stretch after repeated washes—cold water and air-drying help preserve shape.

These Bombas Toddler Gripper Ankle Socks make a practical St. Nick stuffer that actually gets used. During our review, the gripper dots gave solid traction on hardwoods and the midweight cushioning kept little feet comfy in sneakers or around the house. They are pricier than big-box multi-packs, and some buyers reported shipping hiccups and eventual holes with heavy wear. Our experience shows ordering early and rotating pairs extends life—and the buy-one-give-one donation adds feel-good value.

Alphabet practice gets delightfully low-mess with Water Wow—our testing showed the reusable pages reveal vibrant letters with just water and reset as they dry. The spiral-bound pad and chunky refillable pen are made for small hands and car-seat entertainment, and the $7.19 price lands squarely in small-surprise territory. Just don’t overfill the pen; leaks can happen if the seal fails, and pressing too hard can scratch pages. It’s a compact set, so expect fewer practice pages than bigger activity kits.

If you already have Color Wonder markers, this refill paper is a mess-proof win for St. Nicholas Day creativity—during our review, it kept tables, sleeves, and couch cushions spotless. We like that the pages are blank rather than preprinted, which our testers found encouraged free drawing and imaginative scenes. The nonstandard size is tricky for home printers, so custom templates may not align, and printed ink must be fully dry to avoid smearing or marker tip buildup. At $9.98, it’s an easy add-on gift.

For a tiny St. Nick’s surprise, these Melissa & Doug Rainbow Mini Scratch Art Notes are a hit with crafty kids. In our testing, the 125-sheet pack stretched far for party favors and classroom rewards, and the included wooden stylus plus reusable desktop dispenser kept everything tidy. Do note the pocket-sized sheets run quite small and some packs skew mostly blue or green; set expectations accordingly. Scratching sheds a bit of black coating, so lay down a napkin or tray for easy cleanup.

For little celebrants still teething, these Gentle Teething Wafers were a hit in our testing: they dissolve quickly, are gentle on gums, and come in handy two-pack wraps for on-the-go snacking. Parents will appreciate the USDA organic ingredients and minimal additives, especially for a $4.99 small treat. Our experience shows wafers can get sticky with drool and sometimes arrive broken or crushed in transit. Check the box’s best-by date at pickup, as a few buyers reported shorter remaining shelf life.

Slip a tube of Gerber Puffs Banana into shoes for a gentle first snack on St. Nicholas morning. During our review, we liked how quickly they dissolve and how the star-shaped pieces fit small fingers, and the resealable lid made car-seat snacking simpler. That said, some families notice an artificial banana taste, and there is added sugar; supervise closely as at least one reviewer reported a choking incident. For a safer experience, offer seated with water nearby and spot-check for broken bits.

This Milkless Chocolate Bar 3-Pack is a thoughtful St. Nick treat for kids with allergies or dairy-free households. In our testing, the bars tasted surprisingly creamy and milk-chocolate-like for a vegan, top-9-allergen-free option made in a dedicated facility. Do keep in mind they’re still candy—sugar and saturated fat run high—and some reviewers felt the flavor leaned a bit cheap. Availability can be hit-or-miss locally, so our experience shows ordering online from No Whey Foods is the most reliable.

For a quick read that pairs well with St. Nicholas Day, this Berenstain Bears title delivers a clear, kid-friendly message about generosity and the joy of giving. The familiar artwork keeps little fans engaged, and at $5.99 it’s an easy add to a shoe or stocking. During our review, the story felt on the short side, so don’t expect a long bedtime chapter. Note the religious framing and Christmas pageant content—great for many families, but not everyone will prefer that approach.