It is slightly different from the Santa Claus story, focused on children, but gifts are an important part of it too. It starts with Sint arriving in Amsterdam on November 15 with a big parade. Sint has helpers called Zwarte Piet (black Peter) At night he rides on a white horse over our roofs to throw gifts down chimneys. Children can put their shoe, maybe with a carrot for the horse.
On December fifth a big bag full of gifts can be left on your doorstep (and kids that have not behaved well this year could be taken away to Spain, where Sint lives the rest of the year).
In our family we buy a gift for everyone and make a little poem, mockingly commenting on the last year and hinting at the content of the gift.
We eat special candy, like pepernoten and marzipan and drink spiced wine.The official date is the 5th, but last week we got together with all my cousins and had another Sinterklaas evening.
It was good to be together with family and have some fun.
I love hearing about traditions around the world. Thank-you for sharing!
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