Celebrating Christmas Season the Dutch Way
Christmas is one of the joyous occasions around the world. Each country has its own way in celebrating the Christmas and one
of which is my home country, the Netherlands. The Netherlands, or Holland, is known for its unique celebration of Christmas because the Dutch celebrate Christmas in two different days. One is on December 5 (St. Nicholas Day) and another is on December 25 (Christmas Day). Christmas season for the Dutch is centered on keeping the family together and spending quality time.
Background
St. Nicholas day (December 5), is being celebrated in honor of St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas as he is called. It has been believed that Sinterklaas, together with his helper, Zwarte Piet or Black Peter, visit children in schools, hospitals, malls and department stores and even their homes to check whether they have behaved.
Children also sing songs and place their shoes by the fireplace because they believe that Sinterklaas will bring chocolates, pepernoten (a small, hard Dutch cookie), some treats and some gifts to them. They also place their wish-lists and their drawings by their shoes. Some even put carrots, hay and a little of water for the horse. If children have been naughty that day or forgot to sing songs, Sinterklaas will not stop by on his horse to bring their gifts.
Sinterklaas in the Netherlands has also seeded the idea of Santa Claus, which is very prominent at the present.
The Tradition
The Dutch consider St. Nicholas day as one of their greatest festivities every Christmas season. St. Nicholas and his helper 
arrive at the harbor of Holland the middle of November, riding a steamer. Sinterklaas wears the traditional bishop’s robes while Black Peter is dressed with Spanish clothes. Sinterklaas rides on a white horse. They are then greeted by the mayor and will lead a parade with a brass band through the streets and towns. They are greeted by many people.
On the St. Nicholas’ Eve, gifts are being given to each other. The gifts are called “surprises” because of how they presented it to the receiver. The Dutch love to disguise their gifts so that the receiver will be more delighted. All their surprises are usually accompanied by verses. A small gift may be put to a big box or a large box may be placed in some dark place in the house where clues may be given to find the “surprise”.
The True Essence
St. Nicholas Day is indeed a time of revelry for the Dutch. Happy and joyful atmosphere fill the towns and cities, but that is not all about it. The true essence of the festivity is all about spending quality family time. Christmas season especially St. 
Nicholas feast is a time of giving since he himself focused more on giving than receiving. They believe in the saying that, “it is in giving that we receive.” They are very fond of surprising people in a good way, joking around with rhymes and tease each other in a well-mannered way. Though gift giving is a part of their feast, being with their families is their primary happiness. Gifts are only addition to the occasion.
The feast of Sinterklaas signifies the strong tradition of the Dutch and shows their value of spending time for their family. The second Christmas celebration which is on December 25 is a day to relax and to spend time going to the church.
Johanna Oosterwijk N.D.