Sinterklaas

You might have seen it already, the stores are filled with pepernoten, chocolate letters, marsepein and a lot of other unhealthy candies. This is what all Dutch stores look like right before Sinterklaas! I guess you think that Sinterklaas is the Dutch translation of Santa Clause. WRONG! But they have a lot of things in common. He is an old man with red clothes, little kids believe he really exists, and he gives presents! In Holland Sinterklaas is more important then Santa Claus, kids don’t believe in Santa Claus and often families don’t celebrate it with presents. There is a boring story about the true St Nicolas, but like I said, it’s boring. So I’ll just tell you the story everyone in Holland knows.

Sinterklaas was born in the year 364 and is still alive today. He lives in Madrid, he travels to Holland every year by boat.
Each year, Sinterklaas arrives by steamer in a Dutch little port and this event is broadcasted live on television. In 2008 he will arrive November 15 and in Amsterdam on November 16.

At night, Sinterklaas makes tours on the roofs of the houses on his white horse Amerigo. He drops presents in the chimneys, which fall right into the shoes of nice children. The children have placed their shoes close to the fire, often filled with straw or carrots for Amerigo. They sing a few songs before going to sleep, because they know that he likes singing children more than anything.

On the evening of his birthday (5 December) a basket or a bag full of presents is placed in front of the front door. A Zwarte Piet knocks on the door, and the children run to their presents.