The Netherlands

Debbie Candau 2012

Graphic elements from: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/St ore/Krista-Walden www.Etsy.com/azredhead, and www.DigiWebStudio.com

The Holiday Season

For most children in the Netherlands, the most important day during the Christmas holidays is December 5th, when Sinterklaas brings them their presents.

The Holiday Season

St. Nicholas' Day is on December 6th, but in the Netherlands, the major celebrations are held the day before, on December 5th.

The name Santa Claus comes from the name Sinterklaas.

Holiday Traditions
On the morning of St. Nicholas' Day, Sinterklaas travels to a city or town in The Netherlands, wearing his red bishop's robes. He travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).

Holiday Traditions
When Sinterklaas and Black Peter come ashore from the boat, all of the local church bells ring in celebration.

Holiday Traditions
Sinterklaas leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse.

Holiday Traditions
Children are told that Zwarte Piet keeps track of all the things they have done in the past year, in his book. Good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will get chased with a stick or switch by Zwarte Piet.

Decorations
Many people in The Netherlands have a Christmas tree in their home. In Dutch, Happy or Merry Christmas is

Prettige Kerstfeest.
(Preht-tihg kehrst-fayst)

Traditions
On December, 5th children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets.

Holiday Traditions
Dutch tradition says that St. Nicholas lives in Madrid, Spain and every year he chooses a different harbor to arrive in Holland. This way, as many children as possible get a chance to see him.

Holiday Traditions
On the evening of December 5th, children anxiously await a knock at their door. This signals that the main presents have arrived in a burlap sack on their doorstep. Sometimes a note will be "found" that explains where the presents were hidden by Zwarte Piet.

This is called Sinterklaasavond, or presents evening.

Holiday Traditions
Surprise presents are also given on St. Nicholas' Day.

Names are put into a hat and drawn. Everyone is expected to make a surprise present for the person whose name they drew. The presents are wrapped and come with a poem inside that gives a clue as to who might have sent it.

The Celebration
Sinterklaas parties are often held on St. Nicholas' Eve. Treasure hunt games are played with poems and riddles giving the clues.
Children follow the clues to find little presents left by Sinterklaas.

Holiday Foods
Special biscuits and sweets are eaten. One type of biscuit is called letter blanket, meaning letter cake, which is made from marzipan or pastry. The biscuits are made in the shapes of the first letter of the peoples names who are at the party.

Holiday Foods
Another sweet biscuit that is eaten at the parties are pepernoot, which are made with cinnamon and spices.

Holiday Beliefs
On Christmas Eve, Dutch Children believe that Santa Claus, also called 'Christmas man' to avoid confusion with Sinterklaas, comes from Lapland in Finland to deliver more presents.

Celebrating
Christmas Day is quieter, with a Church Service and family meal. The Christmas Story and other traditional stories are told.