Christmas In the Netherlands
By: Megan Seddon 8BRN
In the Netherlands, St. Nicholas is known as Sinterklaas. Dutch children are told that he comes from Spain several weeks before his birthday, December 6.
Halfway through November there is a big celebration when Sinterklaas completes his journey to The Netherlands. Television crews await his arrival at a port where the old steamboat docks. He is accompanied on the trip from Spain by his horse and a group of servants. Sinterklaas wears a long white beard and the robes of the old bishop. He is welcomed by huge crowds of children with their parents as the parade goes through the streets while people at home in other parts of the country watch the parade on television.
On Sinterklaas Eve, December 5, children fill their shoes with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas' horse. Sometimes Sinterklaas actually appears in person in the children's homes, along with his assistant, Black Pete. Sinterklaas questions the children about their behaviour during the past year and often asks them to recite Bible verses.
Later that night, sitting by his white horse, Sinterklaas rides over the rooftops and drops presents down the chimneys with the help of his servants. In the morning the children usually find their shoes contain a small toy or some of the traditional sweets. When presents are exchanged by adults, the Dutch like to include a surprise. Sometimes a small gift is wrapped in a huge box, or the present is hidden in an unexpected place.
In eastern Holland they hold an Advent ceremony, in which special horns are blown to announce the coming of Christ. Horns are handcrafted from birch or Eder saplings and are three or four feet in length. Blown over wells, they sound a deep tone, similar to a foghorn. They do this because they believe that the horns blow away the evil spirits so the Christmas season is safe.
A second opportunity for gift-giving in December takes place on Christmas Eve. The Dutch enjoy wrapping presents in different ways, such as a box within a box or a very small gift inside a very large box.
Those who are religious go to a late-night church-service (around 10 at night) on Christmas Eve. The next morning a typical Christmas breakfast may include kerststol, a fruit and almond-paste bread, krentebolletjes current buns and roomboter real butter. Family and friends often come to visit and eat goodies during the day.
For the Dutch this season is very special and their image of Santa is a lot different to ours. Their image is still the original St Nichols whereas ours is the image of the fat man in a red suit which the coca cola company created.