The 5th of December is a date all Dutch children are looking forward too. It’s Sinterklaas, a typical Dutch family tradition where the children get presents, candy and pepernoten ( a dutch treat typical for Sinterklaas )
Originally, St. Nicholas Day is actually on the 6th of December, but in The Netherlands, the Sinterklaas celebrations are held on the 5th of December.
The story of Sinterklaas and his arrival to Holland
The Sinterklaas celebrations start on the second Saturday of November when Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch Sinterklaas story and traditions, Sinterklaas lives in Spain and every year he comes to Holland, where he arrives in a different city or town, so all the children get a chance of meeting Sinterklaas in real life.
Sinterklaas and his helpers ( Zwarte Pieten ) travel from Spain to the Netherlands by steam boat. When he is off the boat and on shore, he rides a white horse named Schimmel.
Sinterklaas is wearing a large red robe, a special hat and a golden rod. The Zwarte Pieten are dressed in colourful outfits and hats and carry all the presents.
Don’t be naughty kids…
Dutch children are told that Sinterklaas keeps a record in a big book of all the things the children have done in the past year. Good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will be put in a sack and Sinterklaas will take them to Spain for a year to teach them how to behave.
Maybe that’s why Dutch children are called one of the happiest, best-educated and well behaved children in the world 😉
Presents for kids from Sinterklaas
On the same evening as Sinterklaas arrives in The Netherlands, children leave a shoe out by the fireplace or the front door. They put a carrot or/and hay in their shoe for Sinterklaas’s horse and they hope that in return, Sinterklaas will come during the night with some presents and sweets.
The story goes that during the night, Sinterklaas rides his horse on the roofs and Zwarte Piet will climb down the chimney (or through a window if the family home doesn’t have a chimney) and put the presents and candy in their shoes.
Sinterklaas at School
Sinterklaas surprise presents are also given at School. Everyone’s name is written on a piece of paper and put into a big bowl or hat. Then everyone picks another person’s name and for that person, they have to make a surprise present along with a little poem.
This also often happens during Sinterklaas parties with friends or in families with older children.
Pakjesavond / Present Night
The evening of December 5th is called ‘Sinterklaasavond’ or ‘Pakjesavond’ (present evening).
In most families, there will be a knock on the door ( often done by a family member, to pretend Sinterklaas has been ) and the children will find a sack full of presents when they open the door.
During the night all the presents will be opened up and it’s one big cozy family gathering with sweets, pepernoten ( little cookies from cinnamon and spices ) and Chocolate, Marzipan or Pastry letters ( People get one of these and usually the first letter of their name )
Bye Bye Sinterklaas
On the 6th of December (the birthday of Sinterklaas) Sinterklaas leaves The Netherlands again by steamboat back to Spain.
Sinterklaas traditions in Australia
Sinterklaas isn’t known in Australia, and even though Sem is Australian and doesn’t grow up with it at school, we love to keep the tradition in honour that Lion and I grew up and share those Dutch traditions with him.
The Dutch communities in Australia often organise typical Dutch parties and Sinterklaas is obviously part of it. When we lived in Cairns, we all loved the Sinterklaas party that was organised by the Dutch Community in Cairns.
Have you heard of Sinterklaas before? Or do you Celebrate Sinterklaas yourself?
Mooi verklaring van onze traditie 😍😍