Sinterklaas in the Netherlands

Compare and Contrast with the U.S. Santa

A Letter to the Students about Christmas in the Netherlands

Venn Diagram Student Page

Teacher Key

Christmas Around the World

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Across the ocean is a continent named Europe. In Europe is a country named The Netherlands. Sometimes people call it "Holland," but the correct name is The Netherlands.Their paper money is different colors. They are famous for growing millions of tulips. There are some people there who carve wooden shoes. The flag is red, white, and blue. And they don't have Santa Claus, they have Sinterklaas (or St. Nicholas).

This lesson is about how Sinterklaas is different from Santa Claus, and how the Christmas season is celebrated in The Netherlands.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Sinterklaas_2007.jpg/400px-Sinterklaas_2007.jpg

In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives with his horse and

helpers by boat from Spain, on a Sunday in

the middle of November.

WikipediaCommonsphotos

Sinterklaas

Boat

Christmas Eve or Christmas!

Sinterklaas arrives on a Sunday in the middle of November! He leaves gifts and candy at night.

Letter chocolates are a possible gift from Sinterklaas!

2010: Sinterklaas arrived in Amsterdam on Sunday, November 14.

December 6th is Sinterklaas Day in the Netherlands. The Dutch people do not have Christmas trees up at that time. Sinterklaas Day is when family members exchange gifts, and is the last day Sinterklaas gives any gifts to the children.

Sinterklaas is celebrated annually on Saint Nicholas' eve (5 December) or on the morning of 6 December. --Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Sinterklaas_2007.jpg/400px-Sinterklaas_2007.jpg

What do children in the United States do to

get ready for a gift from Santa? They put up a tree or hang up a

stocking.

Figure this out: Do Dutch children leave food for Sinterklaas on Christmas Eve?

This is from when Sinterklaas arrives in November through December 6th,

only.

How does Sinterklaas travel in the Netherlands? He travels by boat and on a white horse. He also walks.

Flickr Creative Commonshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/hanspama/4121311445/

The helpers for Sinterklaas go with him to deliver candy and small gifts to the shoes of small Dutch children.

Clip art licensed throughhttp://www.graphicsfactory.com

HappyHolidays!