Living normally in Spain, he arrived in the Netherlands on the 14th of November. From that time he is busy preparing his upcoming birthdayparty at december 6, organising and teaching all the helper-Sinterklazen and keeping track of all the naughty tricks of the black peters. Also one important thing is that the black peters find out what children are 'good', and which have been 'bad'. All that info will be written in the big Sinterklaas book.
During the time of Sint's arrival and his birthday children can put their shoe, they wore that day in front of the chimney, with a song and drawing for Sint and Peter, maybe a carot for the horse. In the night Sint and Peter came through the chimney and have put a little present in the child shoe. (guess it's a bit the same as stockings here)
Lots of families in the Netherlands celebrate Sint's birthday on the 5th of December with the family together, a sudden big knock on the door, to find a big bag filled with presents for everybody. so exciting! all sweet goodies are in the house. little rhymes will be accompanying the gifts for the bigger kids. With a big smile I remember our Sinterklaas evenings at home. Julia is now getting the idea a bit, so we can all be children again! Pictures out of Sinterklaasbook, Courtesy of: Charlotte Dematons.
