The Dutch have been celebrating Sinterklaas Day since the 4th century, when a bishop in Turkey named St Nicholas became widely known for his good deeds to poor children in Europe. Each December he arrives in Holland with his white horse and his helper Zwarte Piete. Children place their shoes by the fireplace or front door, and good children will awake to find them filled with goodies and small gifts. Naughty children run the risk of receiving a lump of coal in their shoe, or being taken away in a sack by Zwarte Piete.
The tradition of St. Nicholas came to North America with Dutch Protestant settlers in New Amsterdam, now New York...so we have the Dutch to thank for Santa Claus!
I really enjoyed celebrating this tradition as a child, and it's fun now to pass it on to my children. It's a really fun way to teach them about their heritage and stay connected with our ancestors. Maybe you can do some research and find a tradition from your ancestors and incorporate it into your holiday celebrations!
My Great-Grandma Jannetje
1 comment:
I love your tradition. Thomas was so excited to tell me about your girls getting carrots in their shoes.
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