Sinterklaas and the Celebration of St. Nicholas
Do you know about Sinterklaas?
Santa made an appearance in Richfield early on Dec. 10, 2011 for the Richfield Optimist Club's annual Breakfast with Santa event.
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"Sinterklaas," a Dutch figure from which Santa Claus got his name, is celebrated annually on St. Nicholas Eve or the morning after in Belgium and France.
Which day is St. Nicholas Eve?
Editor's Note: Select your answer in the poll below and tell us how you know the answer in the comments section. The answer will be posted later in the day.
Ryan Laing
12:12 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011
I have friends who celebrate this day by putting their shoes out for small gifts. Is it the root of hanging stockings from the fireplace-mantle?
Caitlin Burgess
12:29 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011
Yes, I would think so. The Santa Claus tradition pulls from the Sinterklaas tradition, celebrating St. Nicholas and a few other similar traditions from around the world.
Peter Wetzels
10:00 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011
As I'm from Dutch origin (I moved to the US from the Netherlands at the age of 29) we celebrate Sinterklaas in my house. I'm pleasantly surprised to see Sinterklaas mentioned on the Patch. Answer of course is December 5 as it's the evening before Sinterklaas' birthday on December 6
Elaine
10:51 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011
My kids are adults with spouses and children of their own but we still sneak up to their homes each year and leave bags of goodies at their doors, we rattle the windows, knock at the door and run away. They love it!
Caitlin Burgess
10:34 am on Monday, December 26, 2011
That sounds fun Elaine. And yes, Peter was right, St. Nicholas Eve is celebrated on Dec. 5.