Sinterklaas

ashli_2

Thank you Kethry, this is a fab idea to suprise Oh and DS with on December 5th. :j

I was wondering if anyone had any more info with regards to what kind of food would traditionally be served, how to camouflage the presents and how/ when you give them, that sort of thing?

kethry

I've never (yet) been in the Netherlands for Sinterklaas. I understand its bigger than christmas, over there. disguising presents: things like .. making a tie fit into a flat square shape so it looks like a record or a book.. very often there's an element of a practical joke about it... like making up a bucket of mud or something, and the (well wrapped/sealed) present going in there. People make up poems, bit like limericks, that poke gentle good natured fun at the recipient and read them out loud. Chocolate letters are frequently given - big thick chunky dark chocolate - in the first initial of your name. i.e. OH would get an M for his name. Sweets are often given, things like Pepernoten, Speculaasstruden, stroopwaffels (you've probably had these - those very sweet waffles you can buy in coffee shops to balance ontop of your coffee to soften?) and so on.

I don't know where you are in the UK but i do know that the European Market in Manchester at the moment often has a stall selling dutch sweets/baked goods like that, and there's a stall selling fresh hot poffertjes (small pancake like item, eaten dusted with icing sugar). Some websites to look at: wikipedia (has photos of some of the candy i've described above), the holland ring which has some recipes and more links, galactic guide, the dutch market site you can order food from if you want. all these sites are in English, although there are many in Dutch.

For those that are wondering: Sinterklaas is the Feast of St Nicholas, its celebrated on 4th-5th December and is a huge holiday in the Netherlands!

Enjoy Sinterklaas!

gottasavecash

I lived in Holland for more than 4 years and sinter klaas is the our equivalent of santa, he has got lacy knickerbockers under his cloak though !!!

Sinter Klaas brings a sack full of present for the children and leaves them somewhere unknown. The children are then alerted that the adults think that they heard sinter klaas and to look, sometimes we had someone dressed up as Sinter Klaas, somtimes, just a sack of goodies at the back door.

Sinter Klaas comes with his team of moroccan helpers in a boat from Spain, the helpers run a long the roofs of the houses to help deliver all the presents.

It is also traditional for each member of the family to make a present for one other member along with a personal poem/song. I for example made 2 clay birds and painted them for my step son as he has an aviary. Another example would be to make a large kinder suprise egg with small gift inside. It really could be anything but it has to have thought and relevance to that person.

As traditional meal with be gourmet. Don't even know if people do that here. Lots of small pieces of meat and veg with various sauces available and french bread. You have a grill plate in the middle of the table and cook what you want when you want it. The kids really loved it.

Please bear in mind i am not Dutch, i make no claim to knowing exactly the traditions, this is only in my experience. Just in case any member are Dutch and think different !!!!!

ashli_2

Thank you both!


I think I will make Dutch pea Soup and Pumpernickle bread, and I think I can find some Dutch biscuits/ confectionary. Hopefully I can find some chocolate letters or moulds to make my own.


I am really excited about this now, as it will be a complete suprise to OH, what a lovely way to get the festive season going!!!:D