Dec 6th: St.Nicolas Day!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Lots of people won't understand what I am referring too, he he.
"Sinterklaas" (Dutch) or "St.Nicolas" is very popular in a very small part of Europe: Belgium and the Netherlands.
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/Sint1.jpg

No, he is NOT the same as Santa Claus, in fact he has nothing to do with Christmas at all.
This is Sinterklaas:
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/th_sint1.jpg http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/th_sint2.jpg

Sinterklaas is celebrating his birthday on December 6th. That day, and the night before, he brings lots of toys to all kids who have been "good" last year. He walks over the roofs on his white horse, and is assisted by countless "Black Peter's". They throw the pressies down the chimneys (well, not really ;) ).

Here is more info for all who is interested:
http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~erik/sint/#explanation

So, Santa Claus isn't very popular here. There are decorations with Santa Claus everywhere, but as for our kids, the biggest "Children's Friend" is Sinterklaas! On December 5th, all kids put a shoe (it should in fact be a wooden clog), filled with food for the horse (carrots, tunip, sugar and some water) . My kids always put a bottle of beer there for the Black Peters!
Next morning, all food is gone, and the table is covered with presents, chocolate and cookies! Time for a song then (see link)
Thank you Sinterklaas!! http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/sint2.gif

[JenBKR]

Thanks for sharing your traditions with us! Here, St. Nicholas is the same as Santa Claus. Sounds like they are pretty similar, but they visit on different days :)

[BC_MoM]

Similar tales, different days! :)

When I was little we had this cartoon movie with kids from all around the world, and it showed their Christmas Eve nights and Christmas mornings - their traditions. I wish I remembered what it was called!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Thanks for sharing your traditions with us! Here, St. Nicholas is the same as Santa Claus. Sounds like they are pretty similar, but they visit on different days :)

I am not sure about it being similar. "St.Nicolas-day" has no connection at all with Christmas here. For kids here, Christmas is a catolic celebratio, the birth of Jesus :)
But, you're right here: both come and spoil our kids rotten :D . The presents are different though: St.Nicolas brings ONLY toys!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

When I was little, my best friend's mother was from Germany. I would get to stay over at my friend's house, and I would get toys from St. Nicholas in my shoes, too. It was so fun!

We were told that if we had been good that year, we would get a toy, but if we weren't then we would get coal. Maria's father always got a lump of coal. ;) :D

[Rachel]

We celebrated a St. Nicolas Day of sorts too when I was a kid, only we hung up our socks next to the door to the living room. I guess it came from our German heritage. I remember one year my sister got Rye Krisp in her sock, which I thought was quite mean of St. Nick.

[Dorothy39]

Thanks for the Memories Lut~

I've met so many wonderful People from Germany during my life, who have shared this tradition with me~ So~of course, I do know all about Sinterklaas, ( St. Nicolas)

I even made an oil painting of St. Nicolos ( and I'm going to bring it out into the open this year~) I think I know where it is~ ;)

Thank-You so Much for Reminding me :cool:

[Suki Wingy]

I used to put out my shoe for him. :) I have no idea why though because my family is removed 2 generations from Germany.