Christmas in the Netherlands

The people who live in the Netherlands are called Dutch. Did you know the name “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch word Sinterklaas?

In the Netherlands Christmas all begins on the Saturday after November 11th when Sinterklaas travels to a city in the Netherlands. The Dutch tradition is that Sinterklaas lives in Madrid, Spain, and travels to a different port city in the Netherlands to visit as many children as possible. Sinterklaas doesn’t travel with reindeer – instead he travels with his Piets. These are his servants called “Sooty Pieten” / “Roetpieten” (Sooty or Chimney Peters). 

The most important day for children during the Christmas season is December 5, St. Nicholas’ Eve, when Sinterklaas brings them presents. Dutch tradition teaches that Sinterklaas keeps track of the actions of children and records them in a big book. If children are well-behaved, they receive presents. The naughty children are put in a bag and taken back to Madrid for a year to learn how to behave!

On December 5th, St. Nicholas’ Eve, known as “Sinterklaasavond” or “Pakjesavond” (“Present Evening”), children eagerly await a visit from Sinterklaas to their home. Rather than hanging stockings, Dutch children leave a shoe by the fireplace or a windowsill. Many children leave hay or carrots in their shoe for Sinterklaas’s horse in the hopes for sweets and small presents in return. On this day, families often have parties and play treasure hunt games with poems or riddles to find hidden gifts. Biscuits and sweets, such as “letter blanket” or “Banketletter” (meaning “letter cake”), which is made from marzipan or pastry are popular. These biscuits are made in the shapes of the first letter of each person’s name at the party. “Pepernoot” is another popular treat at Christmas parties. These are made with cinnamon and spices in the pastry biscuit mix. Other traditional treats include gingerbread men and chocolate letters. 

St. Nicholas’ Day is on December 6th, Sinterklaas’s birthday. He leaves the Netherlands by boat to return to Spain. Even though Sinterklaas leaves, the cheer continues to spread as people often give surprise mystery gifts to others with clues about the sender, but keeping it a mystery. 

Christmas Day, known as “Eerste Kerstdag”, on December 25th, is celebrated with family and attending church services to worship and tell stories of the birth of Christ. The day after Christmas is called “Tweede Kerstdag” (“Second Christmas Day) and spent visiting family members and shopping. 

To wish others Merry Christmas in Dutch, you might hear any of the following:

• “Prettige Kerst” (“Happy Christmas”)
• “Zalig Kerstfeest” (“Merry Christmas”)
• “Zalig Kerstmis” (“Merry Christmas”)
• “Vrolijk Kerstfeest” (“Cheerful Christmas”)

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/holland.shtml

https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/activities/events/sinterklaas.htm
https://geology.com/world/netherlands-satellite-image.shtml