Sinterklaas is coming today!

I went digging in my albums and found these two pictures from 1964.
Above the four of us with Mom digging through the burlap bag on Sinterklaas evening

With my opa (my father's dad)

A couple of years ago I happened to be in Holland at this time. For the very first time in my life I went to Scheveningen to watch Sinterklaas arrive from Spain, on his big ship. My sister took me. I took a video of this event, too bad I can't (or know how) to put it on a DVD to show you that video, it was one my the better 'visits' (Sven, I believe you have that video *S*)

So today it's 'Sinterklaas' in Holland. In every home tonight anxious little hearts are beating with anticipation. A little scared too. Because tonight Sinterklaas will ride around the country on his white horse, surrounded by his helpers, Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters - yeah, I know...how totally not p.c. *lolol*) dropping off presents for little boys and girls who have been good.




It is truly an impressive sight to watch this armada come in from the North Sea, and go through the wide channel towards the harbor.
(I took these two pictures from someone's website.) The skies look ominous. Not unusual for Holland this time of year. But nevertheless thousands of parents and children will brave the bone chilling wet cold weather to watch this annual event.
You care barely see Sinterklaas, he stand on top of the highest part of the boat, near that yellow mast.

Some more pictures I found online.

In Holland, when I was young (I am sure things have changed over the years) Sinterklaas was the most important day in the year for a child, aside from your birthday of course.
It was the holiday for presents.
We were often warned not to be bad, and we took these warnings serious and we would shit our pants with fear when December 5th came around and we knew in our heart of hearts that we had been naughty.

To this day it amazes me that my parents kept me believing in Sinterklaas until I was in 5th grade. I guess being the oldest of four it was easy to keep me in the dark. I am sure the rest of my siblings were less ignorant.

But....I look back on wonderful years.
The evening would start early, as we antipicated the loud knocks on the front door. Mom would not make dinner that night and we would have 'easy' sandwiches instead (that in itself was unique)

We would then sit around the dining room table (which was in the middle of the living room in those days) and sing Sinterklaas songs. We were always urged to sing LOUD so Sint would hear us and not pass our house. In reality we had to be loud so we wouldn't hear the neighbor putting the bag in the hall.

By the time we just could not stand the suspense anymore, there would be a loud knocking on our front door, we would sit stock still, watching the living room door open just a tad, a gloved hand appear, and that hand tossing candies into the room, at which time pandemonium would break lose with all of us rolling on the floor grabbing the candies and the pepernoten.

Not until we heard knocking on the door at the apartment above us would we be brave enough (and allowed) to check the hallway.

And with OOHHH and AHHHHs and shrieks of delight we would find a huge burlap sack there stuffed with presents.

Papa was always in charge of doling out the goodies. Every package had a name on it, and to be fair and to keep the four of us from killing each other, he was always the one to keep things going smoothly.
I remember the gleam and the love in my parents' eyes, as they watched us open our gifts.

Despite the fact that my parents did not have much money us kids never lacked of presents and goodies.

We always got at least two books, a box of color pencils, a sketchbook, mittens or a scarf, and a chocolate letter.

Looking back I see how much effort my parents always put into this evening. If there was no money for store bought gifts, they would make them. Papa made stuff like wooden cars for the boys, a garage with an elevator, and for me a beautiful doll house with electric light, a fireplace, and real painted pictures, a doorbell that worked and curtains and rugs, made by mom. (The one I thoroughly destroyed in no time)
When us girls received dolls, we always also received doll clothes, made by...mom...

My sister has one of the original Barbies, with a complete wardrobe, made by....mom...even a bridal gown. That doll is worth hundreds of dollars these days.

When all the presents were opened and the big burlap bag was empty, we would usually eat a snack and drink chocolate milk.

Then it was time for bed.

That's when the grownups would have their party.

It was a tradition to make "surprises" for each other. Which meant, make something gross, hide the gift inside. And then make a long rhyme to go with it. In my family a lot of "surprises" were pots with turds in it (hilarious, not?) and the rhymes probably too racy for our tender ears.

But boy they always seemed to have so much fun. My room was next to the living room and I tried to figure out a way to make a small hole through the wall so I could see what was going on (The walls were solid brick) I loved the smell of the cigarettes, which were presented only on holidays and birthdays.

As we got older, we would still have the Sinterklaas evening party, it was just as much fun with us teenagers.

The days leading up to December 5th were always so joyful. The streets were decorated with lots of red and gold and lights. In every store window there was a beautiful display. I will never forget that exciting atmosphere.

My father worked for the phone company and each year the company would organize a Sinterklaas fest for all the employees' children in a huge hall (Houtrust, for you Dutch readers)

To me this was always the event where the REAL Sinterklaas showed up. Perhaps it was because they always used the same fellow, so he always looked the same, perhaps it was just the grandeur of it.
We always felt so darn special being there.
But oh boy, when they started singing: "Sinterklaasje kom maar binnen met je knecht...."
the sign that he arrived and was coming in....I would be stiff with fear again. Deadly afraid I would be called upon the stage to face my judgment. Thank God that never happened.

But it was always a very special day, we would get some goodies that we didn't get at home, like marsepein, real taaitaai (a very chewie gingerbread man), and a small gift.

Nowadays this holiday gets celebrated whenever the parents happen to have the night off, or when it's most convenient for everyone. What a shame.

Mom is sad not to have all her children and grand children around, so she sends presents. Every year, you can count on a Sinterklaas present for the kids. She is so desperate to keep that spirit alive.

And I am so grateful for that.

SGMKJ!