Elf Idea: St. Nicholas Day Polished Boots

A little elf polishes a big child's boot with a tiny brush, with a smiling tangerine beside it – coloring page for the St. Nicholas Day elf idea.

On St. Nicholas morning the boot shines: your elf polished it with a tiny brush, and a tangerine with a laughing face sits next to it. This elf idea for St. Nicholas Day takes five minutes.

😜 What Did the Elf Do?

Your elf polishes a big child's boot with a tiny brush. A tangerine with a laughing face lies beside the boot. The kids find the shiny boot on St. Nicholas Day and smile back at the fruit.

At a Glance

Setup time
about 5 minutes
Mess level
●○○ super tidy
Age
ages 3+
Daycare-friendly
yes – fun as a St. Nicholas group activity
🧺 Supplies
  • Shoe-shine wipe
  • Tangerine
  • Waterproof marker
  • Child's boot
  • Your elf

🛠️ How to Set It Up, Step by Step

1
Wipe the boot clean with the cloth until it shines.
2
Draw a laughing face on the tangerine peel.
3
Stand the boot up and seat your elf next to it with a brush.
4
Lay the tangerine beside it.
💡
Pro Tip
Use polish on a cloth only, never directly on the kids' boots. A photo in the morning captures the moment.

🔄 Variations

For little ones
Just leave the smiling tangerine, and the boot stays as it is.
For preschool and classroom
Each child puts a shoe out and your elf polishes them all.
No mess
Your elf polishes with a dry cloth and no polish.

✉️ What the Elf Writes

For St. Nicholas Day I polished your boot until it shone. The tangerine smiles at you for it!

You'll find matching printable notes in our elf letters.

🖍️ The Prank Picture as a Coloring Page

The coloring page suits St. Nicholas Day: the kids color the boot and the tangerine face. Click “Print Now” to print the picture as a full-size coloring page.

Goes Well With

Your Benefits at PureSketchy:

  • Completely Free: Every elf printable with no sign-up, no newsletter, no subscription.
  • Made for Coloring: Clear black lines – kids color everything themselves.
  • Your Elf, Your Name: There is always space to write in your own elf's name.
  • Everything in One Place: Prank ideas, papercraft props, printable sets, letters and guides all fit together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does this prank fit?
The evening before December 6, when kids set out their boots. It works on any other day too.

How do I make the tangerine face?
Draw a smile on the peel with a waterproof marker. With the elf beside it, it looks as if he drew it.

What do I need for polishing?
A clean cloth or a shoe-shine wipe is enough. You do not have to use real polish.

Does the boot have to be filled?
No, your elf only makes it look nice. What goes inside is up to you.

Is the download free?
Yes, every printable on PureSketchy is 100% free for personal use, preschools and schools – no sign-up needed.

Is there a German version?
Yes! You can find the German version at Nikolaus: Stiefel geputzt.