It is the fifth of December: the feast of St. Nicholas. Next to the chimney, traditional carols are being sung. The holy man has just arrived with presents for the children: a doll and a bucket full of candy for the girl, and for her little brother a golf club. The boy is pointing gleefully at his big brother, who has found a birch rod in his shoe instead of a present (indicating he has been a naughty boy). But grandmother is beckoning to him: no doubt there is a present for him after all, behind the curtain. Steen has succeeded in capturing the special atmosphere of this celebration. Considerable attention is given to all the goodies in the foreground: 'speculaas', waffles, and a diamond-shaped sweet loaf called a 'duivekater'. But the story is the main focus of the painting. And, like the born storyteller he is, Steen uses looks and gestures to make this clear.