Sinterklaas is coming!
A little background info on this typical Dutch tradition. Growing up in the Netherlands, the day I most looked forward to was the day Sinterklaas would visit our house and bring a big brown bag filled with toys. Besides from the presents there would be poems reflecting the year you had as a child.
Sinterklaas is coming!
Growing up in the Netherlands, the day I most looked forward to was the day Sinterklaas would visit our house and bring a big brown bag filled with toys. Besides from the presents there would be poems reflecting the year you had as a child. How you did in school, as a friend, brother or sister and child to your parents. It was a very nice evening you share with your family that I look back at with warm feelings. The official day to celebrate this is the 5th of December. The day Sinterklaas celebrates his Birthday.
Other moments I cherish was when Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet would arrive with their boat from Spain in our local harbor. All the kids of the town would be out cheering them on. The Zwarte Pieten would dance an do other cool things while giving the kids candy. Happy moments.
On some nights, you would be allowed by your parents to leave your shoe in front of the chimney or door. Between the day Sinterklaas arrived and his official birthday. Sinterklaas and his horse would sometimes come and leave a present in your shoe. We would always leave a carrot for the horse and milk for Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas to thank them.
If you are new to the Netherlands, this is a tradition you could share with your kids. You can watch the Sinterklaas Journaal on TV and visit a local arrival (intocht). We have one official arrival, that is considered to be the real Sinterklaas, this will be on the beautiful island Texel this year the 15th of November around 12:00. Sunday more local intochten will follow.
I hope you and your family enjoys this Dutch Tradition as much as I did when I grew up!