How to Make Paper Shoes for St. Nick's Day

Celebrate St. Nick's Day on Dec. 6 by making paper shoes with your children.

St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on Dec. 6, is a beloved holiday in many parts of the world and an important signpost on the journey to Christmas. Children leave out shoes for good St. Nick to fill with candies and treats on the eve of his feast day in a tradition similar to hanging stockings by the fireplace. Add a multicultural touch to your Christmas preparations by making paper shoes with your children to leave for St. Nick.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Multicolored construction paper
• Craft glue
• Glitter pens or metallic markers

Instructions

1. Trace two outlines of your child's shoe onto cardboard with the black marker. Cut out the outlines. These two outlines will form the sole of the shoe.

2. Measure the circumference of the shoe with the tape measure. Draw a rectangle onto a sheet of construction paper with a pencil and ruler. Make the length of the rectangle equal to the circumference of the shoe and the height 2 inches. Sketch a sawtooth pattern along the bottom edge of the rectangle. Cut out the pattern.

3. Glue the rectangle to one of the cardboard soles. Curl it around the front, sides and back. Fold the sawtooth tabs under the sole and glue in place.

4. Trace the top half of the child's shoe onto construction paper. Instead of outlining the shoe all around, draw a straight line across the spot where the top crosses the instep. Sketch a sawtooth pattern along all the edges. Cut out the outline.

5. Curl the top of the shoe over the sides of the rectangle and glue the sawtooth tabs to the bottom of the sole.

6. Glue the other half of the sole to the bottom of the shoe to cover tabs. Write the child's name on the shoe's toe with a glitter pen. Set out for St. Nick on the evening of Dec. 5 and fill with candy overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie crinkle ribbon or yarn into bows and glue on top of shoes to create tassels.

• Save baby shoes you may make as keepsakes and use them later as Christmas tree ornaments.

• Try substituting wrapping paper for construction paper.

References

• St. Nicholas Center; Shoes for St. Nicholas; 2002
• Doodles and Noodles; St. Nicholas Day Paper Boots: For When a Paper Shoe Simply Isn't Big Enough; Carol Baicker-McGee; December 2010
• Foreign Language Fun; Make Paper Shoes for St. Nicholas Day: Easy Craft Download; November 2008