The EuroTraveler in Search of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands


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December 22nd 2008
Published: December 22nd 2008
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Last week, one of my very good friends in London shared with me the legend of Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas and how her family celebrates the tradition in the Netherlands. I found the whole story fascinating because although very similar to our Santa Claus, Sinterklaas has his own story based in fact as well as legend. Come and discover with me the traditions, the stories and the truths of Sinterklaas, the patron saint of children.

Every year on the eve of 5 December or the morn of 6 December, the Dutch and Flemish celebrate Saint Nicholas who is celebrated less for his role as bishop and more for his generosity and benevolence. He is thought of as a kind of Godfather whose good will is remembered and celebrated with traditions of gift giving and feasts and good ol' fashioned storytelling.

Fact or fiction or both? Well, yes Virginia, there really was a Saint Nicholas. Actually, he lived from 271 to 6 December 342 or 343 and was born into a wealthy family. Tragically, he lost his parents to an epidemic and later donated his material possessions to the poor and needy to become a priest. He went on to become Archbishop of Myra in Turkey and it was during this time of his life that news of his good deeds spread throughout the lands. Later, he became the patron saint of sailors and it is because of these legends that Saint Nicholas reached the North Sea and the Netherlands in the 12th and 13th centuries and the reason why Amsterdam adopted him as their patron saint of the city.

According to legend, many European children believe that Saint Nicholas lives in Spain. Throughout the year, he watches over all the children of the world to see who's been naughty and who's been nice and records his note in his "Big Red" book. Sound familiar? Every year in the beginning November, Sinterklaas' helper, Black Peter, assists him with gathering up the gifts for the journey to the Netherlands. As the story goes, Saint Nicholas grabs his sack full of presents and rides his white horse also named Peter, with his helper, Black Peter, and the three of them embark on a steamship headed for a different port town each year in the Netherlands. By the time mid-November rolls around, the trio arrives and is greeted with a country-wide celebration and parade. It's this moment that marks the beginning of "Sinterklaas" season.

The legend tells us that at night, Sinterklaas and his gang fly through the skies of the Netherlands to deliver their gifts. Once alighted on the rooftop, Saint Nicholas listens at the chimney with his horse, Peter, who climbs down to make sure a carrot and straw are replaced with gifts.

After Sinterklaas has come and gone, everyone finds their packages which are hidden all over the house and found by various clues. According to tradition, they must be wrapped or disguised in some way and accompanied by a fitting poem for the recipient. The poem is particularly interesting in that it gives the gift giver an opportunity to write something funny, embarrassing, or generally unknown about the recipient and it's read aloud to the rest of the family. All is done in good fun and the gift giver goes unknown because all presents are really from Sinterklaas.

I hope you enjoyed this journey to the Netherlands as much as I did and I hope you discovered something new. I found it fascinating and striking because of the similarities to our own Santa Claus. If you want to read more about Sinterklaas and the real Santa Claus and find out more about Holland, go to Holland Ring. So, you better watch out, and better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why, Sinterklaas is coming to the Netherlands! Visit The EuroTraveler for more Christmas traditions!


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26th December 2008

love the story!
There is always a child in each one of us who loves a good story, especially on Santa Claus! After all, he brightened up many our Christmas mornings with hopes of a grand loot!

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