Happy Sinterklaas!

I know, you’re saying *what…….????*.

Well, Happy Sinterklaas! I married a Dutch guy some years ago and this is one of our traditions, Sinterklaas. We put out this little guy, Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) –

…and we give the kids traditional chocolate letters and recently, a few Sinterklaas gifts.

In Holland it is the traditional day when gifts are exchanged. Children would put out their wooden shoes filled with carrots (for the horse) and Sinterklaas would leave a present if the child had been good. Strange tale, if the child had not been good, Sinterklaas’  helper, Pete, would put the child in a bag and take them away!

And, to add to that, the Sinterklaas tale was brought to the United States where he became know as Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was from Turkey. Sinterklaas lives in Spain. Santa Claus lives in the North Pole. Sinterklaas has a white horse and a sidekick named Pete. Santa Claus has flying reindeer and elves.  

A funny story about this tale was written a few years ago by David Sedaris, called “Six to Eight Men Black Men”. It is short  and worth the read.

Happy Readin’

Libby