November has been a slow month for blogging so I thought I'd add just one last post for the month.
Tomorrow it's December. I can hardly believe the last month of the year has already arrived. Although I look forward to the festive month December is for most of the year, it always seems to sneak up on me. Wham, bam,... December 1st is here.
On December 6 we celebrate Sinterklaas in Belgium and in The Netherlands . On that day Saint Nicholas and his helper Black Peter (Zwarte Piet in Dutch) bring toys for the children. The legend of Sinterklaas is based on the story of Nicolaas van Myra, a very generous bishop who died on December 6 in the year 343.
Santa Claus is actually derived from Saint Nicholas: apparently the Dutch immigrants took this custom with them when they crossed the big blue. There are a few differences though. One of them being that Sinterklaas rides a white horse instead of using a sleigh, and there are no reindeer to be seen anywhere, neither on land nor in the sky. Now of course December has become an expensive month, since we celebrate both Sinterklaas and Christmas...
The kids have made their lists already and placed them in their shoe by the fireplace (well, here at our house it's placed next to the TV cabinet since we don't actually have a fireplace, haha) a few days ago. Of course Black Peter came by during the night to collect the wish lists and he left some chocolate and cookies behind in return. On December 5 Sinterklaas is visiting the kids at school and then the next day he will come to the house bearing gifts.
And as soon as he leaves I'll be putting up my Christmas tree!
7 comments:
Tania,
That's a really lovely tradition and thanks for sharing ~ i love learning all about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries.
I know exactly what you mean, December just creeps up, an expensive month indeed!
I hope the kids have lots of fun.
Love,
Amanda x
That was interesting learning about your holiday customs! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season!
It is so nice to hear about the different traditions that you have in Belgium!
When I lived in Germany as a child, I remember that we used to leave a shoe out and it would be filled with sweets the next morning.
I can't believe that it is december either ~ time just flies past!
I am putting my tree and decorations up next weekend hopefully ~ just didn't have the time this weekend!
Hope all is well with you.
Love and hugs Tabitha XXXX
oh, tania, we celebrate st. nicholas' day on december the 6th on the lane:) katherine places an old pair of her shoes by the fireplace the night before, and the next morning... voila!!! the old shoes are gone and are replaced with new slippers filled with goodies:D
i love december!!!
love,
dani
Hi Tania ~ I have left a little message for you over on my blog ~ hope it makes you smile!!
love and hugs Tabitha XXXX
What fun traditions! i laughed yesterday when on the news a shop owner was interviewed about everyone tightening their money belts this year. The shop owner said to the camera- "It is christmas people- it is not time to save money!" I had to laugh!
That last one was me!
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