Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Around the World for Christmas – Coals and Switches

 

On the 6th day of December, Sinterklaas leaves his home in Spain and sets sail for a random Dutch harbor. Every year, there is a different harbor that hosts the Sinterklaas and his sidekick Zwarte Piet. If they land in the Amsterdam harbor, they will say “hey” to the queen. When he hits the shores, all the church bells ring, and he trades a boat for a large white horse from which he leads a parade. Children will put out carrots and hay for Sinterklaas’ horse. Preparations for the arrival of Sinterklaas starts in the last few days of November.

Our Santa Claus is a derivative of Sinterklass, who is a red robed jolly character. He is clothed in his bishop’s robes. The 6th is St. Nicholas Day, which is where we get the interchangeable St. Nick and Santa.

The children of Holland put their clogs and shoes out on the 5th where they hope they receive toys, fruits, nuts and other goodies. Zwarte Piet is in charge of punishing bad children with coals in their shoes and a swat on the backside with a switch. He has been known to chase children with a stick. Black Pete as he is known in English is given the task of being a helper to Sinterklaas who is charged with entertaining the children when Sinterklaas arrives. However, his roles have changed over the years. Originally, he was charged with punishing the bad children. Today, he is a helper who also delivers sweets. My DH spent a few childhood years in Holland; Zwarte Piet did not deliver sweets in the 1950s. He was still beating children in the 50s.

Sintkerklaas in a traditional bishop robe, while Zwarte Piet is dressed in Spanish attire.

On Sinterklaas Eve, there are parties that are filled with treasure hunts. The children, and a few adults, follow riddles and clues to find their presents. The gifts are hidden and disguised as much as possible. Like a small book in a large box, or a gift hidden inside of a vegetable or pudding. These games are accompanied by biscuits, cookies and other treats. This celebration is a wonderful time for all. On St. Nicholas Day, people exchange Secret Santa gifts. The people draw names and they are charged with presenting a gift that will aid the recipient with their hobbies. The gifts are secret, but the giver can include a poem that may offer up a clue about the giver, but the purpose of the gift giving is to keep it all fun and secret. It is supposed to be for the children, but it can spill over into adult fun.

There is a second Santa that shows up on Christmas Eve for some children, but this is not their traditional fat man, he is more western.

Christmas Day is filled with church services and family meals. The gift giving is done, now is the time to worship. The Christmas story is told in the afternoon of Christmas Day, and there may be some remaining gifts for children.

The Dutch decorate their homes with Christmas trees and other decorations. Their bosses will give them a hamper with food and a personal gift that has the company logo on it. It can be a serving platter, a book or anything else of value.

The typical Christmas meal will consist of shrimp, salmon, eel, stewed meat or poultry and seasonal veggies. They serve wild boar, duck, turkey or venison. The desserts are spectacular and can be adorned with fireworks that really make the dessert explosive. They like fried ice cream. If there is no time for one person to create the meal, it has become increasingly popular to set up a buffet or to go to a restaurant.

Mid-winter Horn Blowing

The farmers begin blowing their horns starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This continues until Christmas Eve. Every morning at dawn, the farmers use horns fashioned from the wood of an elder tree and blow over a well. This sound is to signal the coming of the Christ child. Apparently, it takes a lot of skill and practice to actually get the horn to sound.

Enjoy a little horn blowing

A popular bread served on Christmas is Kerstbrood or Christmas bread. Another bread, Christmas stollen, is served as well. This bread is filled with raisins and currents. There are plenty of almond pastry rings, chocolate pastry rings and marzipan. Lots of pudding and hot chocolate is on the dessert menu.

 

 

Dutch almond butter cake Boterkoek

Dutch cookies

These are not secret gifts, but with a little imagination on your part, you could get any one of these gifts hidden in pudding.

Umeboshi

Moonlit Chrysalis Dichroic Fused Glass Iridescent Pendant OOAK

Moonlit Chrysalis Dichroic Fused Glass Iridescent Pendant OOAK

specialtivity

White Wedding/Prom Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Hand Beaded Necklace

White Wedding/Prom Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Hand Beaded Necklace

RSSDesignsInFiber

Sparkling White Heart - Irish Crocheted Lace - MultiLayer Roses 6 Inch

Sparkling White Heart - Irish Crocheted Lace - MultiLayer Roses 6 Inch

SewAmazin

Pretty Purple Snow Girl Gift Holder Gadget Case Stocking Stuffer

Pretty Purple Snow Girl Gift Holder Gadget Case Stocking Stuffer

TwistedThreadAndHook

Whoo, Whoo let this large owl in your house - 46 in Owl Rug - Handmade To Order

Whoo, Whoo let this large owl in your house - 46 in Owl Rug - Handmade To Order

evezbeadz

18" White 9-10mm Cultured Pearl Necklace

18" White 9-10mm Cultured Pearl Necklace

LittleApples

Clear Quartz Necklace Cream Ivory Howlite Butterfly Stones Antique

Clear Quartz Necklace Cream Ivory Howlite Butterfly Stones Antique

BronzeAgeJewelry

Multi-strand Beaded Bracelet in Pale Sage Green and Silver

Multi-strand Beaded Bracelet in Pale Sage Green and Silver

hollyknittercreations

Hand Knit Kitchen/Bath Cloth

Hand Knit Kitchen/Bath Cloth

ResetarGlassArt

Flower Nightlight, Bouquet of Pink and Green on White, Fused Glass

Flower Nightlight, Bouquet of Pink and Green on White, Fused Glass

cardsbylibe

Get Well Wishes Simple Flower Handmade Greeting Card Purple White

Get Well Wishes Simple Flower Handmade Greeting Card

QuiltTops

Cream Soup With Under Plate Krautheim Selb Bavaria White w Gold Rims

 Cream Soup With Under Plate Krautheim Selb Bavaria White h Gold Rims

bluemorningexpressions

Handmade Polymer Clay Brown Yellow Beaded Bracelet Green Glass Pearls

Polymer Clay Lentil Beaded Bracelet

WireCrafters

Black Steel Heart and White Pearl Earrings

Black Steel Heart and White Pearl Earrings

postcardsintheattic

Antique Postcard Beautiful Swans Swimming on a Lake with Lily Pads - Pond - 1909

Antique Postcard Beautiful Swans Swimming on a Lake with Lily Pads - Pond - 1909

ChristieCottage

Bridal Fascinator - Head Piece - White - Beaded - Sequins

Bridal Fascinator - Head Piece - White - Beaded - Sequins

PrettyGonzo

White Pearl Amethyst Necklace Earrings Set Swarovski Wedding Prom OOAK

White Pearl Amethyst Necklace Earrings Set Swarovski Wedding Prom OOAK

KatsAllThat

Rustic Natural Magnesite and Copper 19 inch Gemstone Necklace

Rustic Natural Magnesite and Copper 19 inch Gemstone Necklace

adorebynat

Gnome Nature Friend Birthday Party Invitations - Set of 8

Gnome Nature Friend Birthday Party Invitations - Set of 8

KevsKrafts

Handcrafted Stocking Bulb Christmas Ornament White Ash Wood

Handcrafted Stocking Bulb Christmas Ornament White Ash Wood

craftingmemories

White Beaded Flower Earrings

White Beaded Flower Earrings

Wyverndesigns

Crocheted Snowflake Ornament

Crocheted Snowflake Ornament

jnldesigns

Exquisite Handmade White and Crystal Watch Bracelet

Exquisite Handmade  White and Crystal Watch Bracelet

Covergirlbeads

Etched White Lampwork Beads Handmade Opaque Glass Matte Silver 204efs

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Faux Pearl & Silver Crystal Faceted Earrings .Pierced LeverbackFaux Pearl & Silver Crystal Faceted Earrings              .Pierced LeverbackHandmadeJewelrySpecialOccasionWomenFashion

ThaddeusRose

Light Green Necklace with Prehnite Slabs and Black Crystals

 Light Green Necklace with Prehnite Slabs and Black Crystals

ShadowDogDesigns

White Marble Heart Mothers Day Earrings Handmade Pyrite Unique Jewelry

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Thesingingbeader

White pearl cha cha cluster ring fire polished adjustable handmade

White pearl cha cha cluster ring fire polished adjustable

artbysunfire

Greeting Card Your the Best! by ArtBySunfire 2701510 135

Greeting Card Your the Best! by ArtBySunfire 2701510 135

ElunaJewelry

Fine Jewelry, Pearl Earrings - Silver Daisy Flower and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Fine Jewelry, Pearl Earrings - Silver Daisy Flower and Pearl Dangle Earrings

craftsofthepast

Carved Jade Rose, Onyx Beads on Bronze Earrings, Gold-filled Ear Wires

Carved Jade Rose, Onyx Beads on Bronze Earrings, Gold-filled Ear Wires

Gingers-Garden

White Daisy Glycerin Soap Flower Handcrafted in a gift box

White Daisy Glycerin Soap Flower Handcrafted in a gift box

TheOldBarnDoor

Snow Covered Bird House on Blank Photo Note Card Fresh White Snow Nature Photography

Snow Covered Bird House on Blank Photo Note Card Fresh White Snow Nature Photography

dianesdangles

White Cats Eye Nugget Pendant Necklace

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White and Cream Poinsettia Table Runner with Green and Silver Squares

White and Cream Poinsettia Table Runner with Green and Silver Squares

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Cream Lace Hand crochet hairband White flower Purple Crystal head band

Cream Lace Hand crochet hairband White flower Purple Crystal head band

 

Maybe we should not put any of these gifts in this pretty pudding, but the idea is really cool none the less.

 

Gather up all your Secret Santa gifts and finish your hot chocolate, we are off to the next adventure.

 

Enjoy

Julie and Blu

26 comments:

  1. Gorgeous selections here Julie! You always have such good things to read. Thanks for including my crochet lace hairband. Off to share.

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  2. Julie, you always have the most fascinating information to provide us with! So many delectable treats to see...speaking of delectable treats, each and every one of these creations are simply yummy. I'm feeling very hungry right now :)

    Thank you for including my necklace. I will share.

    Kathy :)

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  3. What a fun post! Growing up, we were always threatened with Zwarte Piet (even though my family wasn't Dutch: "You don't straighten up Zwarte Piet is going to only leave a bundle of switches and coal!" Yes, I can still hear that - LOL!). Your list of foods eaten for Christmas makes me drool, especially the Dutch almond butter cake! Thank you for another wonderfully gun and informative post. And thank you for including my white heart earrings. Sharing now.

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  4. Julie, you always do such a great write up on Christmas in other lands. The "Secret Santa" reminded me of the many gift exchanges I've been in, in school and with family. Thank you so much for showing my fire polished adjustable ring.

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  5. Fascinating journey and lovely gift ideas! Thanks for including my lampwork beads.

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  6. Enjoyed reading your post, interesting to learn Christmas traditions of other nations. Thank you for including my white cats eye necklace. Sharing.

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  7. You created a wonderful posting. Thank you very much.

    Grady at WireCrafters

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  8. Thank you for including my glycerin soap Daisy. I learned something new about the holidays. I am Czech so apple strudel is a must. :o)

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  9. I enjoy reading these Christmas tradition stories so much, Julie. Thank you for each of them.

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  10. i bought evezbeadz, sorry to mess up your illustrations ;) I see someone also bought the Old Barn Door photo of the bird house in snow. Great buys, both!
    anna

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  11. !LOL! This is awesome, now I am hungry for Christmas goodies. Thanks for including my Earrings, it's a hoot just thinking about them being in pudding! Needed a smile today!

    Blessings and Prosperity!

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  12. Julie, you have outdone yourself with this blog post and amazing winters items! Thanks so much for a good read and some holiday eye candy! Jo

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  13. Another informative post on the traditions in another country. I always wonder on Tuesday night where you and Blu will take us the next day! Thanks for including my white poinsettia table runner.

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  14. Always love these interesting posts! Thanks, Julie and beautiful Blu - and thanks too for including my necklace and earrings set here with such wonderful gift-idea selections. :)

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  15. Great blog as usual Julie. I love learning how different countries celebrate Christmas without the travel. Thank you for including our watch bracelet. Off to share.

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  16. That was so much fun, Julie. I love reading these little travel logs and look forward to them each week. So glad they changed Zwarte Piets role from switching to helping hand out the goodies. I bet most of the gift exchanges are handmade in Holland. A very good tradition. They could serve some yummy cream soup in my bowls.

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  17. Really pretty selections in a "winter white" theme this week. All of these artisans have been good!

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  18. Classic White Perfection !! Shared Thx for including my Pearl Necklace, it Sold! Yeah! ~ Eve

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  19. Oh my goodness, what a feast for the eyes - yes I'm talking about the breads and cookies!! And of course the variety of gifts that have accompanied this most fabulous blog. I'm going to put my clogs out and hope I don't get coal!! Great post Julie and thanks for including my card.
    Lisa :)

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  20. Thank you Julie and Blu. I love the Christmas around the world, they have been so interesting. Thank you for including my earrings in this weeks beautiful collection. I have pinned, tweeted and left messages.

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  21. Thank you for another stop on the Christmas tour! I have pinned all the mid-week selections :-)

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  22. Wow..the more countries we visit the more I learn! Thank you so much for all the research and putting these wonderful trips together!

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  23. Thank you!!!

    Beautiful items featured

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  24. I'm going to feel so much smarter this Christmas with all the interesting tidbits you are sharing in these blog posts. Thanks so much for including my nightlight - all of the pieces you've selected are wonderful. Have shared -

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  25. It is interesting how different cultures put their own unique twist on Christmas traditions. I've read that recently Black Pete has become a controversial figure - not for beating children, but for the color of his skin. You've chosen a nice mix of white toned items for gift giving, in secret or not!

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