Sinterklaas

Holland is buzzing with songs, games, and excitement for the 3 or so weeks that Sinterklaas spends in the country. Each night during this time, children leave their shoes by the fireplace (or by the front door if there isn't one in the house), in the hopes that Sint or Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes, Sint's helpers) will come by during the night to deliver a small treat (pepernoten and schuimpjes--{the yummy spicy mini cookies and sweeties shown in a picture below and sung about by the girls in the 2nd song}, manderins, chocolates, colouring in books, pens etc). Some mornings children awake to a surprise in their shoe and other mornings not.

Once Sint has been warmly welcomed into the country, the countdown begins to the eagerly anticipated 'pakjesavond' (gift evening) on December 5th. Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet deliver a bag of prezzies at the door, ring the bell and/or bang on the window and disappear. The long awaited sack is excitedly collected and gifts are torn open. And that folks, is how the Dutch celebrate their version of Santa Claus / Father Christmas. He's a totally different chap, hailing not from the North Pole, but from sunny Spain. He returns to his country on December 6th, takes off his boots, puts his feet up and takes a long deserved rest until the following year.

I really appreciate the pagan / Christian separation. Christmas is celebrated here, but it's done so in a quiet, reverent and respectful way, giving the true meaning of Christmas it's very own day. Having said that, the younger Dutch generations of today are not particularly religious at all, however, Christmas is still viewed as a special family day.

We (the children) of course, get to experience the best of both worlds in the Netherlands; Sinterklaas, Father Christmas and Christmas. Ask the mom if she enjoys all the craziness December brings with it! Here are some Sinterklaas songs the girls have learnt at school:


Pictures below:
1. the sack left at the front door
2 and 3. chocolate initial letters. This is very Dutch and such a fun idea
4, 5, 6, 7. opening gifts
8. wow, so spoilt!
9. pepernoten and schuimpjes

<