When you picture Santa, you probably imagine a jolly figure flying over snow-covered houses in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But travel to the Netherlands and you’ll find an entirely different, and arguably more stately, Christmas figure: Sinterklaas. He’s the original inspiration for the American Santa Claus, but the Dutch tradition has kept him closer to his historical roots—the 4th-century Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Sinterklaas, a Dutch shortening of Saint Nicholas, is depicted as a dignified and serious Catholic Bishop. He trades the modern red suit for an official red cope (a long cape), a white alb (a white robe), a tall red mitre (the Bishop’s hat), and a ceremonial gold crosier (shepherd’s staff). He also carries a huge, ornate book that lists all the children in the Netherlands, noting whether they’ve been naughty or nice throughout the year.
One of the most unique aspects of the tradition is Sinterklaas’s transportation and point of origin. Every year, in mid-November, Sinterklaas makes a public and spectacular “arrival” in a different city via a steamboat from Spain. Why Spain? Historically, the warm, southern country was the source of exotic gifts like oranges that Sinterklaas brought to the cold Netherlands. This televised arrival kicks off weeks of celebrations and parades. Once ashore, he mounts a majestic white horse, often named Ozosnel (“Oh So Fast”), and rides over the rooftops at night. Children leave their shoes by the fireplace, along with a carrot or hay as a treat for his steed.
The most important night for Dutch children isn’t Christmas Eve—it’s December 5th, the evening before the Feast of St. Nicholas. This is called Sinterklaasavond (Sinterklaas Evening). Instead of gifts magically appearing under the tree on Christmas morning, the shoes left out are filled overnight with small toys, pepernoten (small gingerbread cookies), and other sweets. Families often gather on the 5th for a cozy evening of gift-giving, which is frequently accompanied by personalized poems about the recipient.
Sinterklaas isn’t accompanied by elves, but by his long-time companion, Zwarte Piet, also known as Black Pete. Historically, Piet was depicted in Moorish attire and blackface. However, this aspect of the tradition has become increasingly controversial and has been evolving in recent years. Today, many public celebrations feature Roetveegpieten, Soot-Smudge Petes, which are helpers with simple soot marks on their faces, explaining that the marks come from climbing through chimneys to deliver the gifts!
The story of Sinterklaas is a powerful reminder that the beloved figure of Santa Claus is not a monolithic one. He has a rich, centuries-old European history that lives on through the stately and unique traditions of the Netherlands.
Join us next week as we learn more about Santa’s across the globe and how they inspire their unique traditions!