The Scoop on Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas has arrived. But where is he from? What is he all about? What does he do? Who are those helpers of his? And how long does he stick around?

The Sinterklaas celebration is intended for children. For young children. But I don't think it's a terrible idea to get into the spirit if you are an adult.

Sinterklaas is also known as Sint Nikolaas or Saint Nicholas. The Sinterklaas feast "celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas [280-342], patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas was bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey and became the patron saint of children based on various legends that include resurrecting children from death and saving them from prostitution." [Source: Click here for the full story via Answers.com]. December 6th is traditionally Saint Nicholas's feast day, also called Saint Nicholas Day or even called St. Nick's Day. The Dutch children celebrate on Saint Nicholas' eve, December 5th. This is also called Pakjesavond ["presents' evening"]. On December 6th, the children in Flanders [Northern Belgium] celebrate. Some cities in the United States also celebrate St. Nick's Day, though it is rarely so.

We know him better in America as Santa Claus. According to Answers.com:

"The English in colonial New York [in the colonial town New Amsterdam] adopted from the Dutch the now unrecognizable saint, calling him Santa Claus [a contraction of the Dutch Sint Nikolaas or older Dutch Sinte Klaas]. They moved his feast day to the English gift holiday, Christmas. The career and qualities attributed to Santa Claus are all recently acquired." [source]

And Sinterklaas has helpers. They are called Zwarte Pieten [Black Petes]. Each Zwarte Piet, or also simply called Piet, is a helper of Sinterklaas. Their skin is black, but this is soon to change into multiple colors. . . In these more politically correct times, their faces are black because "they have soot on their skin from the chimneys they must crawl in and out of, delivering gifts to children." In 2006 it was announced the Piets would become Gekleurde Pieten [Colored Petes]. Instead of black, they'll be colored red, blue, etc. The reason: "Sinterklaas passed through a rainbow with his boat." [source]

Sinterklaas comes every year from Spain in his stoomboot [English: steamboat]. The Dutch word for journey is tocht. When one is on the way to arriving, it is called aantocht. When one arrives from a journey, it is called intocht. And this special arrival of Sinterklaas is popularly referred to as intocht. When he arrives, he is welcomed by cheering children who sing to him as he parades through the streets. This event, as with every year, was aired on TV today [click here to view the video online].

The Zwarte Pieten throw to the children strooigoed, a combination of kruidnoten [or pepernoten] and marzipan candies, which are marshmallow-like. The Zwarte Pieten wear brightly-colored clothing similar to 16th century Moorish clothing. The idea Sinterklaas has more than one helper comes, according to Answers.com, because "the Canadian soldiers who had liberated the Netherlands during World War II and helped organise the first post-war Sinterklaas celebration."

[Source and further information about the Zwarte Pieten, click here.]

Sinterklaas carries a crosier, which is a long, golden staff. He has a long, white beard, and he wears a mitre, whichi is a bishop's hat. He also has a big book [known as het grote boek], filled with all children's names. It also tells him who has been good or naughty through the year. . .


Sinterklaas spends the time until Pakjesavond [or Sinterklaasavond] visiting schools, stores and hospitals. During this time, the children put in front of the fireplace or by the door their shoe filled with carrots or hay for the horse of Sinterklaas every evening. . .

Then they sing a Sinterklaas song [Dutch: Sinterklaasliedje], and the next day find candy or treats in place of the carrots or hay. These treats in return are left for the children by the Zwarte Pieten or Sinterklaas.

The horse Sinterklaas rides on in the Netherlands is called Amerigo, and Amerigo is a schimmel [a grayish or white horse]. Sinterklaas rides Amerigo over the rooftops of the children. In Flanders his horse is called "Slechtweervandaag." This means in both Flemish and Dutch, "Bad weather today." Zwarte Piet was asked by Sinterklaas to name the horse, but he didn't hear the question. So Zwarte Piet commented on the weather, "Slecht weer vandaag." Sinterklaas thought this was the horse's name!


Sinterklaas says, "Sint and Piet sat thinking, 'What should they give you. . .'"

On the evening of Pakjesavond in the Netherlands, a loud knock is heard on the front door. Outside awaits a large bag full of presents. Sometimes the story is altered to a noise being heard in the attic and there awaits the large bag full of presents. The presents may have a poem attached or a note about the present or the child receiving the gift. In Belgium, the children traditionally find their presents on the morning after Pakjesavond.

Traditional candy and treats eaten at this time are kruidnoten or pepernoten, marzipan candies, borstplaat, chocolate coins and a chocolate Sinterklaas [both wrapped in colorful or golden foil], taai taai, amandelstaaf [or amandelletter], speculaas, and a chocolate letter [Dutch: chocolade letter]. Each child receives a chocolate letter representing the first letter of their first name and Droste and Verkade are the more popular brands.

Sinterklaas links:

• Looking to stay in the Netherlands during the Sinterklaas festivities? For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Netherlands Hotels for more information.
• Sinterklaas official website.
• Sinterklaasjournal.
• Via Omroep.nl Sinterklaas information.
• Sinterklaasliedjes.

To help those who live outside of the Netherlands [and Belgium] understand how it is also advertised, here are some recent items featured in ads for both Etos and Wibra. You can click on each image below to view them larger. They will open in a new window.

Wibra ad. The front cover says "The best tip for Sint!"



Item featured at Wibra is Sinterklaas/Pieten-themed childrens pajamas:



The back cover of the Wibra ad:



From the Etos ad, Pieten costumes for children:



From the Etos ad, kruidnoten/strooigoed, chocolate lipstick/perfume bottles and Droste chocolate letters:



And from the Etos ad, various Sinterklaas/Pieten-themed items:



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