Christmas Traditions in Holland

In Holland, the Christmas season begins in November.  The last Saturday of November, Sinterklaas arrives to meet with the children.  He is dressed in traditional bishop’s robes.  His assistant Black Peter is dressed in Spanish attire as they have both traveled from Spain, where they have been watching the children and preparing presents.  Sinterklaas and Black Peter are greeted by the mayor and lead a parade through the streets with Sinterklaas riding a snowy white horse.  The children are given the chance to account for their actions from the last year.

St. Nicholas Day
The main festivities of the Christmas season take place on St. Nicholas Eve and St. Nicholas Day.  St. Nicholas Day is December 6.  On St. Nicholas Eve, families may throw a party with food, hot chocolate and a special letter cake made in the shape of the family’s initial or the initials of all the family members.  That evening the family also exchanges presents, called surprises.  Surprises are often hidden or disguised and are accompanied by verse.  All the gifts are listed as from Sinterklaas.  At the end of the evening, the children place their shoes by the fireplace, filled with food for Sinterklaas’s horse, like hay and carrots.  Children account for their actions to their parents, and go to sleep.  The next morning, well-behaved children will awake to find their shoes filled with nuts and candy.  The family then spends the day in celebration.

Advent and Christmas
Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, farmers in Holland blow long horns at sunset.  The horns are usually made from hollow elder-tree branches, often from one-year old saplings.  The horns are blown over wells, creating a deep, eerie noise.  This announces the coming of Christmas and help to chase away the evil spirits to prepare for the birth of Christ.  Families decorate the home with candles, evergreens, holly and a Christmas tree.  Some children hang stockings from the fireplace.
On Christmas Eve, families often attend church together.  Santa Claus, not to be confused with Sinterklaas, might deliver a few presents that night, but Sinterklaas is more important in this holiday season.  If Santa Claus does deliver gifts, they are usually small gifts, like biscuits, fruit or books.  Families may also attend church on Christmas Day.  Christmas is a religious time.  After church, families gather around the Christmas tree, telling stories and singing carols.  They finish the evening with a fancy family dinner of hare, venison, goose or turkey.  They drink eggnog and mulled drinks.
The following day, December 26, is called Second Christmas Day.  This is another day to celebrate with family and relax.  Families may go out to eat and attend holiday concerts or recitals.
Prettige Kerstfeest to all the families celebrating in Holland this year.

http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/holland.shtml
http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/traditions/holland.htm
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga7.htm
http://www.santas.net/dutchchristmas.htm
http://www.santas.net/netherlandschristmas.htm