Sinter Klaas

[Mango]

Two of my nephews were born in Holland, and since my BIL is Dutch, they boys will be welcoming Sinter Klaas by putting their shoes out on Dec. 5th, who fills them with candy and gifts.
Since their MIL is living with them and now spoiling them, I have been told the clogs look something like this..........

Long ago, in a land which is now called Turkey, there was a bishop named Nicholas. Nicholas lived in the fourth century A.D. He was very wealthy and generous, and he loved to make children happy. Often, he would give gifts to very poor children -- sometimes by throwing them into their windows!
After Nicholas died, he was canonized as a saint. His feast day is December 6 -- a holiday in many countries. He is the patron saint of children and seafarers. In the Netherlands, the saint's name, Sinter Nikolass, became shortened to Sinter Klaas. And as Dutch people immigrated to the United States, the name evolved into what it is today - Santa Claus! The Dutch Saint Nicholas also wore a beard and a red cloak trimmed with white fur. Saint Nicholas left gifts for good children in their shoes -- not under trees or in stockings, as he does today.

Does anyone else's family celebrate anything similar?

 

[audie]

i love reading about different family traditions - we have none that we do regularly, mainly due to the way we work. but i do love the idea of the extra large shoes !!:clap_1:

 

[Mermaid]

We celebrate Boxing Day because Merman was born in England. Nothing to do with George Foreman kind of boxing, but rather the boxes of presents given to the staff, who, of course, had to work the Christmas holiday. Not many in England are staff or employ a staff since the Lords of the Manor days are well over, but the tradition continues. It's another way to stretch the Christmas magic!

 

[Jdarg]

Looks like somebody stole my wooden shoes. My feet are really that big.

 

[Ocean Lover]

I saw the cutest little wooden shoes ornament at Kohls. I loved learning about this tradition in elementary school.

 

[Kimmifunn]

Miracle on 34th Street is on now. Never saw it, even working for Macys!

 

[audie]

every time i see this thread i think it says sinister klaas....

 

[Cil]

Miracle on 34th Street is on now.

That's what I immediately thought of when I read Mango's lovely story.
Skeptical little Natalie Wood,and the Dutch girl singing the Sinter Klaas song.
When I was a kid, our Santa was pretty much just the jolly old elf type of guy and we put out cookies and milk for him, and carrots for the reindeer.

 

[Mango]

Miracle on 34th Street is on now. Never saw it, even working for Macys!

Watched it in colorization. Did you notice when the little girl was sitting at the window watching the parade, it kept switching from b&w to color? Just noticed that this year.

every time i see this thread i think it says sinister klaas....

It used to be Sinter Nikolass! which reminds me of Sinister A$$.

That's what I immediately thought of when I read Mango's lovely story.
Skeptical little Natalie Wood,and the Dutch girl singing the Sinter Klaas song.
When I was a kid, our Santa was pretty much just the jolly old elf type of guy and we put out cookies and milk for him, and carrots for the reindeer.

I can't sing that song, but I do know the Flipper song by heart.