Sinterklaas & christmas?

[krysalyss]

Is anyone doing both of these? I am just thinking about how to celebrate this year and Sinterklaas is tomorrow. Was thinking about giving DS some of his presents tomorrow or maybe just having a little family celebration. We can't do any family things as we live too far away but will see them all at xmas. Anyone else doing something special tomorrow or the 6th?

[ladybirdflies]

We leave the kids shoes out on the 5th and tell the story of St Nicholas. They polish their shoes and line them with fabric, and then when they wake up their shoes are filled with berries and nuts and a few chocolate coins. I think the valuable thing about this celebration is about Bishop Nicholas and the work he did in the world.

[Heaven]

Google St Nicholas center

[krysalyss]

Thanks Ladybirdflies!

Google St Nicholas center

I guess what I am asking is how people split the celebration when they want to do something for Sinterklaas on the 5th and something for Christmas. Do you give a few presents on each day or do you only give presents on one of those. I am thinking at this point that DS will get his pressies on xmas day but that we might have a little celebration tomorrow. The things is that we won't be at home on xmas day and his main present is a trampoline. So am considering giving that as part of Sinterklaas and the rest of his presents on xmas day. My dad is dutch and we do want to incorporate a bit of our heritage into the celebrations as well.

[Raupe]

Yep, we're doing Nikolaus Day as well (6th December). Absolutely love it!

[Esme]

Subscribing as I am Dutch and would like to do Sinterklaas with the boys. We haven't done it so far as I feel it is a bit full on with Xmas so close. I am sorry i don't have any advice. Did you grow upcelebrating both? My parents didn't do Xmas so that makes it easy.

[krysalyss]

We are actually doing the shoe thing tonight. I know we are late but we were waiting for DS' big present as I thought it might come today but didn't Anyway lucky he doesn't know dates. We have tried to come at Santa and Sinterklaas as games and not that they are real so I just spoke about where the stories came from etc. We do a secret santa as xmas. I am going to think about it a bit better next year as this year I left it a little to late. We didn't grow up doing anything dutch really (etc some of the food!) and I don't even speak dutch which is a big shame. So I do want DS to have a sense of our heritage I guess. I got my hands on a few dutch kids books and sometimes his Opa will read them to him.

[Esme]

The shoes under the chimney is a great idea that doesn't cost too much. I might start with that and the little presents opa and Oma send us every Sinterklaas while playing some Sinterklaas cd's. I have to admit I don't speak a lot of Dutch with the boys :-(.

[krysalyss]

I have to admit I don't speak a lot of Dutch with the boys :-(.

I think a second language is one of the best gifts you can give your child. Without judging, is there a reason why not? I think my Dad who came around in the 70s or maybe late 60s felt a bit of discrimination so just totally went english and now feels uncomfortable but I always wish that I had that ease with a second language.