When the girls were very young we lived in Holland. In the 2 1/2 years that we were there, we adopted the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas. There was no way to escape it, their friends were all getting visits from Sinterklaas. The problem was that Sinterklaas comes in Nov. and the annoying man leaves presents in their wooden shoes EVERY DAY for weeks until he leaves on Dec 5. He doesn't leave quietly either...his departure is marked by leaving a really big present.
His actual birthday is Dec. 6, so I'm not sure why Sinterklaas Dag(day) is the 5th. Maybe the fact that he is supposed to be hundreds of years old has led people to believe it is highly likely that he may die any minute. To be sure that they receive the presents anyway, they celebrate his birthday a day in advance.
He doesn't replace Santa, but is just the opening act. He comes with his helpers, the politically incorrect Zwarte Pieten (black Petes). They run around, throw stuff at the kids and cause a lot of trouble.
Fast forward 17 years. There are still certain good "little girls" that get a care package from Sint this time of year. We call it a little Christmas teaser. It looks like Sinterklaas is going to be with us forever and ever and ever.
1 comment:
Whoa whoa whoa... I didn't know SinterKlaas brought presents for a week! I thought he only came dec. 5th... explain mom! hmmmmmm
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