Hello everyone,
Today we’re excited to celebrate Sinterklaas.
A Bit of History
Sinterklaas is inspired by St. Nicholas, a legendary figure who was the Bishop of Myra (modern-day Turkey) and the patron saint of children. After his passing in 343 A.D., tales of his kindness spread across Europe, eventually evolving into the Sinterklaasfeest during the Middle Ages.
Originally, it was a tradition of helping the poor by placing money in their shoes. Over time, this turned into a festive custom of putting gifts in children’s shoes. The Dutch later shifted the celebration from December 6 (St. Nicholas’ name day) to the evening of December 5, which became known as Sinterklaasavond—or as some fondly call it, pakjesavond (the “evening of presents”).
What Happens on Pakjesavond?
On the night of December 5, families and friends come together to:
🎁 Exchange gifts or creative poems about one another, known as a surprise.
🎲 Play fun games.
🍬 Indulge in traditional sweets and snacks, such as chocolate letters, marzipan, and spiced biscuits (speculaas).
🎅 Sinterklaas is Visiting Our Office Today!
As part of the celebration, Sinterklaas will be making a special stop at our office, handing out chocolate letters to everyone.
Let’s enjoy this wonderful tradition together—Fijne Sinterklaas!
