Santa's Arrival

Here we are with Santa. (I am in the picture because take one didn't go so well so I got in there with her)

This year we will be celebrating Saint Nicholas' Day as they do in Holland. As a child we celebrated Saint Nicholas' Day on the years we would go out of town for Christmas so that we could celebrate at home then celebrate Christmas Day out of town. My father's family is half dutch so it also allowed us to learn about Christmas in Holland and share stories of his grandfather's coming to America. The tradition of Saint Nicholas' Day is celebrated in much of Europe on December 6th, in the Netherlands it is celebrated on the eve of December 5th. Families get together for a feast and children set their shoes outside filled with carrots and hay, after the feast the children will find their shoes filled with candy, fruits, and small gifts. If the child was good then a bag of gifts will be left somewhere for the child to find.

Saint Nicholas was a bishop who was very kind and generous and often gave secret gifts to children and the poor. During the 16th century in Europe religious wars were occurring and Saint Nicholas became unpopular but to keep his tradition his name was changed to Sinterklass and in the USA to Santa Claus.

Santa's arrival is always in mid November, this marks the start of the season. So today was Santa's arrival at the mall. We were there for Santa pictures. In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas arrives in Amsterdam by steamboat, Church bells ring, the mayor welcomes him and there is a big parade. The US Santa encourages consumption whereas Saint Nicholas encourages compassion. Mike and I have decided to keep Saint Nicholas' Day simple for Lizzy with only a few small gifts and time with family. We would like to encourage Saint Nicholas' good deeds and compassion more than consumption. Here is Lizzy with Santa Claus last year:

Bella with Santa a few years back