), his assistant whose face is covered with soot and who's the one going down the chimney to leave gifts for children. Your choices will not impact your visit. Furthermore, Dutch also have their own Father Christmas or Santa Claus called Kerstman. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Nicholas dedicated his life to following the principles of Jesus Christ, using his wealth to help impoverished and suffering people. While most Europeans begin celebrating Christmas on December 1st, the Dutch begin the first Saturday after November 11th when Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain. Legend has it that he is accompanied by a servant named Black Peter who … Among others, you’ll hear such traditional Dutch Christmas songs as, (Someone is coming, children). Keep learning Dutch with us! Nov 8, 2019 - Explore Cathy Smith's board "Dutch Christmas foods", followed by 164 people on Pinterest. , this might be the first time you experience Dutch Christmas. It shares an eastern border with Germany and a southern border with Belgium. In Dutch Happy/Merry Christmas can be said as 'Prettige Kerst' (Happy Christmas), 'Zalig Kerstfeest' or 'Zalig Kerstmis' (both mean Merry Christmas) or 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest' (Cheerful Christmas). Here we look at seven of the most popular family Christmas traditions and their origins. In fact, Dutch Christmas traditions have some particular elements that you should be aware of in this festive season. Gezelligheid. In early November families also await the start of the annual Sinterklaasjournal children’s program. People put them up in public spaces and their living rooms and decorate them with lights and ornaments. It’s a tune that never leaves me throughout the Christmas period and the video to this one from Toppers is like the most cliché Christmas party ever. I was always curious as to the Celebration of Christmas in the Netherlands. Mark Oliver. Another one of the fun Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas traditions is to hang the Christmas tree upside down and decorate it. Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. Typical Dutch Christmas Treats Include (Christmas wreath cookies) Kerststol (fruited Christmas loaf) Kerstkrans (a wreath shaped pastry decorated with glace fruits and filled with sweet almond paste) Banketstaaf or banketletters (pastry logs or letters filled with sweet almond paste) Jan Hagel cookies (a fragrant and flaky Christmas cookie) ... Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, is a character in Dutch folklore who is said to be Santa’s (Sinterklaas’) sidekick. Americans usually blend secular and religious customs and traditions with their own personal family customs, which often incorporates decorations, food, decorations, and rituals. Dutch Christmas songs. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. The Dutch love their trees – in fact they love Christmas decorations in general. The 'banketstaaf' is a traditional Dutch pastry, served at Christmas time. Typically, the Dutch will forgo the traditional Christmas roast, and opt for what is called gourmetten . What’s Christmas without some delicious food? Christmas and PA Dutch Traditions by Bryan Hay. Family and friends will probably visit, call or send a card. Many expats staying through the Dutch Christmas season are thus pleasantly surprised by the familiarity of Dutch Christmas traditions while at the same time relieved, perhaps, of the absence of some of the more commercial traditions that go hand-in-hand with festivities back home. A Dutch Christmas is similar to the experience in other western, predominantly-Christian countries: Christmas in the Netherlands is typified by family gatherings, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the eating of fine food and drink and in some – but not all families – the arrival of Santa Claus (Kerstman in Dutch) and the giving of gifts. The Dutch Christmas Festival In The Netherlands | regarding Dutch Christmas Traditions United Nations: Dutch Christmas Is Racist » Alex Jones' Infowars within Dutch Christmas Traditions Dutch Christmas – Lizardmedia.co with Dutch Christmas Traditions Flappie was the creation of Dutch comedian Youp van ‘t Hek, and the song follows the story of a young boy looking for a lost rabbit, which tragically turns out to be Christmas dinner. Another one of the fun Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas traditions is to hang the Christmas tree upside down and decorate it. While Sinterklaas can be considered as the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus, it has some differences. Instead, Christmas in the Netherlands means these two days are spent with family, singing carols, playing games, watching movies, reading Christmas tales, and indulging in holiday feasts. It’s such a good reminder of a time when I was in Nederland as a very little girl. Research has shown that people thought spending time with Dutch family was the most important part of Christmas in the Netherlands, followed by eating good food and attending church. A more recent tradition is to give children a special calendar (or Advent calendar) helping them count down to Christmas in the Netherlands. A tradition that is sure to make others envious is that the Dutch celebrate 2 days of Christmas, namely on the 25 th and 26 th of December. There is however no turkey, fruit cake or any complicated dish. You’ll heard Dutch Christmas songs played on radio stations and in shopping centers weeks leading up to Christmas day. If you ask, many Dutch nationals will stress to you the superficiality of gift-giving at Christmas in the Netherlands. Christmas Traditions the Dutch Living In The U.S. Will Miss. The arrival of Santa does not necessarily mean that presents will be shared in every Dutch household. ~ Advent Calendar - Day 11 ~ Mirabelle and Flo are students participating in the Dutch language programme at GESS and they have some things to share about how they celebrate the Christmas season in their culture and families! Have you noticed an interesting Dutch Christmas tradition? In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. In fact, Dutch Christmas traditions have some particular elements that you should be aware of in this festive season. Dutch Christmas traditions involve many unique holiday activities. 42 Disturbing Facts About Bizarre Christmas Traditions. Thank you from Hawaii where we say: “Mele Kalikimaka” Merry Christmas! Some children hang up a stocking from the fireplace mantel on Christmas Eve, but there are no more presents after St. Nicholas Day for most Dutch children. Well, if you’re doing Christmas the Dutch way, consider yourself warned that a traditional Christmas dinner in the Netherlands looks a little … In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. This custom begins on Advent Sunday (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) and continues until Christmas Eve. I probably wouldn’t have gotten enough info for my project without it. But Sinterklaas doesn't come alone. When I moved back to the US after living in the Netherlands for nearly four years, my American friends were often confused about the European nation about half the size of Maine, so here is a quick overview:. Some of the typical treats are: Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. The feast of Saint Nicolas is celebrated on 5 December and far from being threatened by his cousin from the North Pole, the tradition of Sinterklaas is rising in popularity. The Netherlands has a long, North Sea coastline. Dutch Christmas trees (kerstbomen) appear all over the Netherlands soon after the Sinterklaas eve. 12.23.16. Even though Pennsylvania Dutch are credited with bringing the Christmas tree to America, they were not like the familiar ones we see today. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. Recently, the traditional black-faced character has been the subject of debate as to whether it is racist or not. Check out Coolblue for interesting light arrangements like this Phillips lightstrip. Do the Dutch celebrate Christmas (Kerst) in a different way? This is an eve when Sinterklaas visits the homes of every child and leaves them some gifts and treats to enjoy. 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