The Dutch have a unique (and somewhat controversial) holiday tradition – Sinterklaas. Now Sinterklaas is universally loved, his sidekick Piet, he is not as well received. But let’s hold that thought for now and discuss Sinterklaas.
Sinterklaas is based on Based on St. Nicolaas of Myra, patron saint of children, sailors and Amsterdam, who was rumored to help poor children by putting money in their shoes. The story was adapted over the years and became leaving presents in the children’s shoes. Each year, Sinterklaas arrives from Spain on the first Saturday after November 11, where he lives, by boat and is greeted by parades. He then goes from town to town visiting children on his white horse Amerigo, a magical white horse who can walk over rooftops and leap through the air, with his crew of Pieten (Peters), who help carry the gifts and record the list of good and bad girls and boys in the Boek van Sinterklaas (the equivalent of the nice and naughty list).
Children around The Netherlands put a shoe in front of the fireplace for Sinterklaas to leave them treats. The most common treats are pepernoten (small round biscuits with gingerbread spices) and chocolate letters.
Then on December 5, the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaasavond or pakjesavond (gifts evening) with a big meal. The gifts are not big, but are thoughtful and fun. In most families you draw names in advance and everyone gives one person a gift.
Each gift comes with a small poem (Sinterklaasgedicht) that pokes good fun at the recipient and is wrapped in a fun way to disguise its contents.
Red, White and Tulips 