Many people now don't like the use of 'Zwarte Piet', this is because the helpers who dress up as Zwarte Pieten are normally white people who wear black makeup as this is seen as racist. What’s Christmas without some delicious food? Furthermore, Dutch also have their own Father Christmas or Santa Claus called Kerstman. Two Days of Christmas in the Netherlands. The tradition evolved here (as it did in the UK), from a gift of food for farm workers to take home to their families after Christmas, to an annual gift for tradesmen. Nov 8, 2019 - Explore Cathy Smith's board "Dutch Christmas foods", followed by 164 people on Pinterest. It’s a simple but festive way to celebrate the holidays! Christmas celebrations in The Netherlands are separate from the visit of Sinterklaas! For instance, Sinterklaas is not a chubby man, he’s rather tall and slim, he wears a dark red robe and a hat that resembles a bishop’s attire. Nowadays, working people in the Netherlands still receive gifts from their company, and often those are food baskets. ) I probably wouldn’t have gotten enough info for my project without it. The distribution of. So here are 6 key things you should learn about Christmas in the Netherlands. St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. Whether it’s carol singing, wreath making or seeing Santa there are certain things that bring Christmas to life each December. These days are spent with relatives, singing carols, watching movies, participating in feasts, and reading Christmas stories. In many families the children are told that Sinterklaas and a Piet make a weekly visit, so the children leave their shoe by the fireplace or window i.e. Christmas Day itself is a much quieter day in The Netherlands, with a Church Service and family meal. Christmas traditions in Netherland is typically defined by celebration of birth of Jesus, family gatherings, good food and drinks, arrival of Santa and the exchange of gifts. The name Santa Claus comes from the name Sinterklaas. Read on to find … During Dutch Christmas people spend two days with their family, playing games, watching movies and eating some traditional Christmas food. In West-Frisian (Frysk) spoken in Friesland/Fryslân)it's 'Noflike Krystdagen' (Comfortable Christmas days); in Bildts spoken in Friesland it's 'Noflike Korsttydsdagen' (Comfortable Christmastide days). Dutch Christmas treats are perfect for those who love sweets as they traditionally consist of such ingredients as spices, dried fruits, sugar, almonds and white flour. Special biscuits and sweets are also eaten at the party. Surprise presents are also given on St. Nicholas' Day. Sometimes there is a special Christmas Day 'Sunday School' in the afternoon at the church, where the Christmas Story and other traditional stories are told. A dear teacher friend of ours wanted to share with her class what Christmas was like in the Netherlands. Holiday Traditions of Netherlands Christmas is a joyful religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The distribution of kerstpakketten comes from a historical tradition - the gift of food that was given to farm workers to take home to their families for Christmas. The Christmas story comes from the Bible. The Dutch love their trees – in fact they love Christmas decorations in general. Every article I read about this subject, people seem to think that Sinterklaas is the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus. 1. For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! The top 10 Dutch traditions, compiled by the Dutch folk culture centre NCV. Don’t feel alarmed if you’re presented with a number of small uncooked pieces of meat - for Christmas in the Netherlands, everyone sits down at the dining room table and cooks their own food. Without the Dutch Sinterklaas, there would likely have not been a Santa Claus. Usually it is celebrated with ones direct, and not extended, family. One type of biscuit is called 'letter blanket' or 'banketletter' (meaning letter cake), which is made from marzipan or pastry. December is here and with it the Christmas traditions that come around every year. It’s one of the great Christmas traditions in The Netherlands, and it cannot miss during Dutch celebrations. It was nice to read…. . When Sinterklaas and the Piets come ashore from the steam boat, all of the local church bells ring in celebration. Meat such as roast beef, deer and tenderloin is also very popular. The unique tradition here includes Sinterklaas Avond which is celebrated annually on December 5 as St. Nicholas’ birthday. Very interesting. Loved this article! – 'wreath cookies' (used also to decorate the Christmas tree), Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. December 26th is called “Tweede Kerstdag” meaning “Boxing Day”. Sinterklaas Dresses Like a Catholic Bishop. The first Christmas Day, i.e. There might be a knock at the door and you might find a sack full of presents! Christmas in Netherland is celebrated for two consecutive days, i.e. appear all over the Netherlands soon after the Sinterklaas eve. The presents come with a poem inside that gives a clue to who might have sent the present, but it is all meant to be a mystery! Amsterdam is a city without prejudice, a city of free and open-minded people. Thanks again. I have deep hearted ties to there and have soft thoughts to a magical place in the world. , this might be the first time you experience Dutch Christmas. This is an eve when Sinterklaas visits the homes of every child and leaves them some gifts and treats to enjoy. Check out Coolblue for interesting light arrangements like this Phillips lightstrip. On December 5, people in the Netherlands celebrate, (St. Nicholas) eve. This is a Christmas gift box that bosses distribute to their staff shortly before Christmas as a traditional sign of gratification for the hard work performed in the past year. Every town in The Netherlands has a few Sinterklaas helpers, dressed the same as Sinterklaas and the Piets who help give the presents out. In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. Over Christmas, hundreds of oliebollen street vendors pop up around the Netherlands and prepare these tasty pastries from inside dedicated food trucks. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a “rascal” with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a “huge pair of Flemish trunk hose.”. This is an eve when Sinterklaas visits the homes of every child and leaves them some gifts and treats to enjoy. In the Netherlands, people celebrate Christmas both on the 25th and the 26th of December. Moreover, he’s accompanied by the controversial Black Peter (Zwarte Piet), his assistant whose face is covered with soot and who's the one going down the chimney to leave gifts for children. this is a good site to find a lot of information thank you this is helpful for my project, thank you I need this for a school project we are learning about Christmas around he world, Thank you. Instead of a sleigh from the North Pole, Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain called Pakjesboot. That is very true, and I wish this would be updated accordingly. Thank you from Hawaii where we say: “Mele Kalikimaka” Merry Christmas! Christmas comes early to the good children of the Netherlands. But Sinterklaas doesn't come alone. New Year For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! National traditions of Netherlands. On December 5, people in the Netherlands celebrate Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) eve. Christmas trees Tradition has it that Christmas trees don’t make an appearance in the Netherlands until after Sinterklaas, so as soon as the Sint has left, the tree sellers move in. If you're ambitious enough to learn a Dutch Christmas song yourself, visit. While most Europeans begin celebrating Christmas on December 1st, the Dutch begin the first Saturday after November 11th when Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain. I was always curious as to the Celebration of Christmas in the Netherlands. This is the day where families gather, have dinner together and exchange presents. What even is the Dutch tradition of gourmetten ? Gifts are generally not exchanged. This is a Christmas gift box that bosses distribute to their staff shortly before Christmas as a traditional sign of gratification for the hard work performed in the past year. With traditions varying across Europe, we thought we’d take a look at Christmas traditions in the Netherlands. I needed this information for a school project. Tips for Befriending Dutch Students Everyone Should Know about, Stay Informed in Eindhoven: Top 5 Reasons to Read Eindhoven News. Thank you for your posting. While Sinterklaas can be considered as the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus, it has some differences. Sinterklass travels with his servants called 'Zwarte Pieten' ('Black Peters') or 'Sooty Pieten'/'Roetpieten' (Sooty or Chimney Peters). Children follow the clues to find little presents left by Sinterklaas. On the second day people tend to visit their families and big shops are also often open on Tweede Kerstdag. Why not get the best of both worlds by doing some online Boxing Day sales shopping? Christmas. The biscuits are made in the shapes of the first letter of the peoples names who are at the party. There is however no turkey, fruit cake or any complicated dish. Have you noticed an interesting Dutch Christmas tradition? 6. Christmas dinners in The Netherlands Yummy Dutch is a webshop with typical Dutch products.On this page you can read all our blog posts and recipes. Among others, you’ll hear such traditional Dutch Christmas songs as, (Someone is coming, children). While there are many Christmas traditions that are similar in more than one place, each country has its own variations and the Netherlands is not an exception. Among others, you’ll hear such traditional Dutch Christmas songs as Sinterklaas, Goed Heilig Man (Saint Nicholas, Good Holy Man), Hoor de Wind Waait de Bomen (The wind keeps blowing), Hoor Wie Stapt Daar Kinderen (Someone is coming, children). Nov 24, 2012 - Christmas traditions in the Netherlands are a unique and meaningful celebration of both the secular and spiritual aspects of the Christmas holiday. The largest of these is the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), a United church which is Reformed and Lutheran in orientation. A Dutch Christmas is similar to the experience in other western, predominantly-Christian countries: Christmas in the Netherlands is typified by family gatherings, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the eating of fine food and drink and in some – but not all families – the arrival of Santa Claus (Kerstman in Dutch) and the giving of gifts. The horns make an eerie noise as they are blown at every farm in the neighborhood. With our recipes you will discover great meals, sauces and other typical dutch stuff you can make with the products from our Dutch food and products shop. While the Dutch don’t refer to the day after Christmas as Boxing Day, they do retain the tradition of the Christmas box or package (kerstpakket). Here's a recipe for peppernoot. The traditional way to eat with the family is called 'gourmetten', which is a little stove that is put on the table and where everyone prepares their own meal while seated. My Dutch friend Jan, has told me that they celebrate the Holiday season starting from December 05th. While Sinterklaas can be considered as the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus, it has some differences. And Here's a recipe for kerstkrans, a Dutch Christmas Ring Cake. Obviously, these greasy treats are exceptionally calorific and should be approached with caution, as it is extremely easy to end up scoffing down a whole tray of oliebollen before even realizing it. © Copyright 2000 - 2021 James Cooper | About the site | Cookies & Privacy | Site Map | Other Links | Support | Website logistics by LetterBlock | Proud Affiliate of the Merry Network, whychristmas?com answers your Christmas questions! Christmas Day is known as 'Eerste Kerstdag' (first Christmas day) and the day after Christmas is called 'Tweede Kerstdag' (second Christmas day). Some of the typical treats are: Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. This is because elsewhere it’s common to spend the 26th at the local shopping malls hunting Boxing Day deals. Dutch Christmas trees (kerstbomen) appear all over the Netherlands soon after the Sinterklaas eve. December 25th and 26th, which are both observed as public holidays. All rights reserved. The children will receive their presents during the evening. The Dutch, practical as they are, traditionally eat something they call “gourmet” which might leave you puzzled. It’s such a good reminder of a time when I was in Nederland as a very little girl. This is because the Dutch celebrate Saint Nicholas on 5 December during Sinterklaas as a separate event from Christmas. As Kerstmas is around the corner, you’ve probably seen the amazing decorations covering the roofs and windows of your neighborhood. In the Netherlands, he is kind of a poor relative to Sinterklaas. In mid-November, St. Nicholas, known there as Sinterklaas, arrives via steamship from Spain for two weeks of celebrations leading up to the eve of his birthday, December 5, when Dutch families and friends exchange gifts.. In fact, Dutch Christmas traditions have some particular elements that you should be aware of in this festive season. On the 6th of December Sinterklaas (the birthday of Sinterklaas) leaves The Netherlands by steamboat via the entrance of the port of Rotterdam (Europe’s largest port) called the Hook of Holland and he travels back to Spain. It’s celebrated on December 25 and 26. Children are told that the Piets keep a record of all the things they have done in the past year in a big book. So now you will often see more 'Sooty Piet'/'Roetpiet' where people just have soot and dirt smudges on their face rather than being completely made up with black makeup. Christmas in Dutch is celebrated over two days which are referred to as the First and Second day of Christmas (25th and 26th December). Have you noticed an interesting Dutch Christmas tradition? People put them up in public spaces and their living rooms and decorate them with lights and ornaments. There are several activities being organized in Enschede during the Christmas holidays, such as Winter Wonderland. On Christmas Eve night, Dutch Children believe that Santa Claus, (who is also called 'Christmas man' / 'Kerstman' to avoid confusion with Sinterklaas!) As an international student most likely you’ve noticed that Dutch Christmas songs are played on the radio, in the shopping malls and Christmas markets. Nowadays, working people in the Netherlands still receive gifts from their company, and often those are food baskets. Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas.Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are universal and practiced in a virtually ubiquitous manner across the world.. It all starts on the second Saturday of November (the first Saturday after 11th November) when Sinterklaas travels to a city or town in The Netherlands. The first thing that tourists associate with the Netherlands is the legal sale of light drugs in coffeeshops. Sinterklaas parties are often held on St. Nicholas' Eve (5th), where treasure hunt games are played with poems and riddles giving the clues. 25th December, is known as “Eerste Kerstdag” meaning “the first day of Christmas” while the second day, i.e. As a matter of fact, to some international students this might seem strange. comes from a historical tradition - the gift of food that was given to farm workers to take home to their families for Christmas. They're told that, during the night, Sinterklaas rides on the roofs on his horse and that a Piet will then climb down the chimney (or through a window) and put the presents and/or candy in their shoes. After reading this great information provided, I have a better understanding. Christmas in The Netherlands. On the evening that Sinterklaas arrives in The Netherlands, children leave a shoe out by the fireplace or sometimes a windowsill and sing Sinterklaas songs. Moreover, he’s accompanied by the controversial Black Peter (. If you're ambitious enough to learn a Dutch Christmas song yourself, visit this site for English translations. Copyright © 2021 COLLEGE LIFE. St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December, St. Nicholas' Eve. It's not about poor housekeeping. Another sweet biscuit that is eaten at the parties are 'pepernoot' which are made with cinnamon and spices in the pastry biscuit mix. Among the Dutch, Christmas (which lasts two days) is a time of togetherness. Habits, mentality and the way of living. In Dutch Happy/Merry Christmas can be said as 'Prettige Kerst' (Happy Christmas), 'Zalig Kerstfeest' or 'Zalig Kerstmis' (both mean Merry Christmas) or 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest' (Cheerful Christmas). Coolblue has an amazing collection of technology and electronics that are sure to be at a great price. Thank you for the remarks and detailed explanation on the history of Sinterklaas. In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. Great information on this that I am using to teach about The Netherlands at our children’s Christmas Around The World Event at church. See more ideas about dutch recipes, food, recipes. People put them up in public spaces and their living rooms and decorate them with lights and ornaments. You can find out more about the history of Zwarte Pieten on the site of the St Nicholas Center. - www.whychristmas.com, You can find out more about the history of Zwarte Pieten on the site of the St Nicholas Center, Here's a recipe for kerstkrans, a Dutch Christmas Ring Cake, Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. Connect with us and tell about it! every Saturday until the main Sinterklaas party on 5th December. Sinterklaas Sinterklaas is St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors and many others as well. This occasion plays a vital role in Christianity, a powerful religion in the … In the eastern part of Holland, farm families announce the coming of Christmas from the first Sunday of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until Christmas Eve by blowing a horn made from hollow elder-tree branches. St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major … They also receive most of their presents on Sinterklaas. Protestantism in the Netherlands consists of a number of churches within various traditions. A custom at the Sinterklaas parties, often within classes at schools, is that everyone's name is put into a hat and everyone picks another person's name - then they have to make a surprise present for that person. Despite the fact that around 50% of Dutch people exchange presents on Christmas, Kerstman is still less popular than Sinterklaas. It’s for good luck. In the Netherlands, people celebrate Christmas both on the 25th and the 26th of December. Dutch tradition says that St. Nicholas lives in Madrid, Spain and every year he chooses a different harbour to arrive in The Netherlands, so as many children as possible get a chance to see him. In the Netherlands, he is kind of a poor relative to Sinterklaas. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets or small presents. Christmas Traditions in the Netherlands Christmas is a holiday to honor the birth of Jesus. In fact, Dutch Christmas traditions have some particular elements that you should be aware of in this festive season. While there are many Christmas traditions that are similar in more than one place, each country has its own variations and the Netherlands is not an exception. An angel appeared to shepherds and told them that a Savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. For instance, Sinterklaas is not a chubby man, he’s rather tall and slim, he wears a dark red robe and a hat that resembles a bishop’s attire. This is a similar custom to a present sending one in Germany. If you work in a Dutch company, you will most likely receive the annual kerstpakket. If you work in a Dutch company, you will most likely receive the annual, . comes from Lapland in Finland to deliver more presents! Could have used more explanation, but loved it. Thank you for reading this. The evening of December 5th is called St. Nicholas’ Eve 'Sinterklaasavond' or 'Pakjesavond' (present evening). Thank you again. These examples all belong to the traditional dinner during Christmas in The Netherlands. As an international student, this might be the first time you experience Dutch Christmas. As well as stews with deer, rabbit or wild boar. The presents are often things that the person would find useful with their favorite hobby. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. Every year, about three weeks before December… Many people in The Netherlands also have a Christmas Tree in their houses. I wish I could experience it as it’s not so commercialized as it is here in the USA, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. These are often the only presents children will get on Christmas Day because they have already received most of their presents on St. Nicholas Day. I miss much of such a cultured areas as we immigrated to Canada many years ago. As an international student most likely you’ve noticed that Dutch Christmas songs are played on the radio, in the shopping malls and Christmas markets. Good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will be put in a sack and the Piets take them to Spain for a year to teach them how to behave! It’s a very good point for people to discuss on! During Dutch Christmas people spend two days with their family, playing games, watching movies and eating some traditional Christmas food. While it may seem similar to what you know, Christmas is not about Santa Claus and reindeer in the Netherlands. Christmas is the 25th of December, but this is referred to as the Dutch as the 1st Day of Christmas. Sinterklaas, dressed in his red robes, leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse. Furthermore, Dutch also have their own Father Christmas or Santa Claus called. I lost my mama this year and my Dutch heritage means more than ever. The International Student’s Guide To Dutch Christmas Traditions, https://collegelife.co/nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/02/logo.png, https://collegelife.co/nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/12/saint-nicholas-2934899_1280.jpg. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. They hope that Sinterklaas will come during the night with some presents. He’s also the precursor of Santa Claus – thanks to Dutch immigrants in the US and Conde Nast. The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day, the tradition that may have seeded the idea for Santa Claus in the first place) on December 5, and it is this day that Dutch children get excited about. The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). The Dutch don't call Santa Claus by that name, instead in the Netherlands he is called Kerstman, or Christmas man. ), his assistant whose face is covered with soot and who's the one going down the chimney to leave gifts for children. The tradition has its origins in an old tale of a poor woman who couldn't afford to decorate her tree and woke on Christmas morning to discover a spider had covered it in a glorious, sparkling web. 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