Here Comes Sinter Klaas Down the Lane to Holland

St. Nicholas, otherwise known as Sinter Klaas, arrives in November in Holland bearing gifts. He is dressed in Bishop's robes and travels by boat with his helper who is called Black Peter, who wears Spanish clothing. Many people go to Amsterdam docks to greet him. He mounts a grand snow horse and rides during a festive parade and celebration.

December 5th is Sinterklaas Eve and is when presents are exchanged. Children put their wooden shoes out and fill them with hay and carrots, and also leave water out for Sinter Klaas horse. In return, Sinter Klaas fills the childrens shoes with candy and gifts to find the following morning. Children believe that Sinter Klaas lives in Spain the rest of the year where he carefully keeps track of which children have been naughty and which have been nice, while his helper Black Peter busily gathers presents for the following Sinterklaas Eve. Though it is not clearly understood why the children believe Sinterklaas to be from Spain, it could be because Holland was famous for its navigation and possibly came into contact with many Spanish sailors who told of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, and his feats of saving boats and sailors from the angry Spanish seas.

Christmas Day in Holland is a spiritual time, and the day is spent with visits to church. In the afternoon, people sit around the tree, sing carols and tell stories.

In addition to their decorated Christmas trees, another popular decoration is the advent star. Its a lighted star shaped ornament that hangs in the window for passers by to see as a reminder of the significance of the holiday season.

During the Sinterklaas season people eat spicy ginger, sugar candy, fancy fruit slices or rich almond marzipan.

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