International Christmas traditions

We are lucky to have various international teachers that work at our school. I decided to interview a couple of them and each week I would write a short article on their holiday traditions.

Mrs Weston is originally from The Netherlands. In Holland, Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands by boat from his home in Spain. During the week before his birthday (December 6th), Sinterklaas rides across rooftops at night on his white horse, Schimmel, listening through chimneys for good children and leaving them treats and candies in their shoes that have been placed in front of the fireplace. On December 5th – Sinterklaasavond, children anxiously wait for Sinterklaas to knock on their door. Once they hear a knock, the children race to the front door and a sack full of gifts has been left for them by their front door.