Sinterklaas – favorite holiday of Dutch children

It’s mid-November, the stores are already filled with the smell of pepernoten, which means that very soon Sinterklaas – the Dutch Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, and the prototype of today’s Santa (yes, Americans actually borrowed the idea of the jolly old man from the Dutch, although they significantly changed both the character and the holiday) – will be arriving in the Netherlands.

The main difference between Sinterklaas and his counterparts in other countries is, perhaps, his leisurely pace. In the Netherlands, the celebration lasts almost three weeks, during which Sinterklaas slowly makes his way from house to house, leaving sweets and little presents (cadeautjes) in children’s shoes. This is  for sure one of the most beloved traditions for both Dutch children and adults, bringing a touch of magic and happy bustle to the coldest, gloomiest time of the year.

Who is Sinterklaas and where did he come from?

As mentioned, Sinterklaas originated from the figure of Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of children and, incidentally, sailors. Interestingly, Sinterklaas doesn’t live somewhere up north, but in sunny Spain, which he leaves once a year to sail to the Netherlands. He brings along his white horse named Ozosnel (“Oh, so fast!”) and a crowd of loyal helpers called Pieten (Zwarte Pieten).

His arrival in the country is surrounded by many pleasant rituals. Children eagerly follow his journey through special Sinterklaas news broadcasts (Sinterklaasjournaal), which show live how he and his helpers sail to the cold Dutch shores, getting into all sorts of funny mishaps along the way. And when he finally arrives in the Netherlands on his gift-filled boat (pakjesboot) in some port (every year it’s a different one), he is greeted by excited crowds of children, and everything around transforms into a true festive atmosphere.

If you’d like to find out when Sinterklaas will arrive in your city, simply search online for “Sinterklaas aankomst 202_” plus the name of your city.

How do people celebrate a holiday that lasts three weeks?

During the following three weeks, Sinterklaas visits towns and villages, holds festive parades, and distributes sweets and gifts. To receive a present or treat from Sinterklaas, children have to follow a special ritual:

1. In the evening before bed, put a shoe or a rubber boot by the door (or by the fireplace if you have one).
2. Place a drawing for Sinterklaas and a carrot for Ozosnel inside.
3. Sing a special song – so the Pieten will be sure to hear that they are being expected.

After that, it’s time to go to sleep. If everything is done correctly, in the morning the drawing and carrot will have been replaced with a little present (cadeautje) or something tasty. Usually, Sinterklaas manages to stop by once or twice a week – he’s simply too busy to come more often, since children are waiting for him in every home across the Netherlands, from Groningen to Tilburg.

The highlight of the celebration is the evening of December 5 (Pakjesavond), when children receive their main gifts. Sinterklaas brings them in a large sack and leaves them by the door. But the sack is only for children who have behaved well! Naughty children, according to legend, are taken back to Spain in the empty sack (to be honest, not the worst punishment, considering the Dutch weather in December).

Traditional treats

Perhaps the most famous edible symbol of Sinterklaas’ arrival is pepernoten – small spiced biscuits that the Pieten generously scatter during parades. Traditional pepernoten are seasoned with “winter” spices and taste a bit like gingerbread, although nowadays you can find them in all kinds of flavors and colors.

The second most popular treat is speculaas, a spiced cookie often made in the shape of figures depicting scenes from Saint Nicholas’s life.

And of course, chocolate letters—gifts that children often find in their shoes. Every child receives their own letter, usually the first letter of their name. A fun fact: the most popular and quickly sold-out letter is “M.” There’s a simple explanation—many common Dutch names start with “M,” and some people believe the letter “M” has the most chocolate thanks to its large size. So parents of kids whose names start with “M” should act fast if they don’t want their child to miss out on this traditional present.

Surprise!

In Dutch schools, Sinterklaas gets special attention. Entire classes watch the Sinterklaas news live, discussing what adventures – funny or not – he’s having. Children decorate their classrooms, little ones make drawings and crafts for Sinterklaas, and older kids (from about 8-9 years old) create Sinterklaas surprises for classmates and teachers.

The main rule: the packaging must be original and reflect the recipient’s interests. Inside, there’s usually something small and completely unrelated to the theme. For example, if a child likes football, they might receive a set of markers hidden inside a huge papier-mâché football. Every gift comes with a humorous poem supposedly written by Sinterklaas or one of his helpers. The poem should mention the recipient’s personal traits.

Examples of these surprise gifts can be found online if you search for inspiration.

And of course, all children eagerly await December 5. On this day (only if it’s a weekday – otherwise the celebration is moved a day earlier or later), schools are filled with excitement. Older pupils receive their surprises, while younger children get presents from Sinterklaas himself, who visits in person with his Pieten. After all the festivities, around noon, children go to the schoolyard to wave Sinterklaas off as he sails back to Spain (until the next November) and then they head home to enjoy the main festive evening of the year.