Two Thirds of Ukrainians Give Presents to Each Other on St. Nicholas Day

According to a poll conducted by the sociological group Rating in December 2011, two thirds of the Ukrainian families keep the tradition to give presents to family members on St. Nicholas Day.

According to the poll, 29% of Ukrainians do not keep the tradition, 1% do not know about the feast, 6% of the respondents could not give an answer.

In the west of Ukraine, the tradition covers 90% of the families, in the north 67%, in the center 62%, in the south 56% and in the east of Ukraine and Donbas region only 52% and 51% accordingly. 

The tradition to give presents on St. Nicholas Day is mostly spread among the believers, especially Greek Catholics (92%), Orthodox of the Kyivan Patriarchate (73%) and Moscow Patriarchate (58%). Nearly half of the non-believers do not keep the tradition.

The poll was conducted from November 25 to December 5, 2011. Two thousand people over the age of 18 were questioned.