Sinter Klaas- A Different View of Christmas

Prescott Newspapers Online In Holland, Santa (Sinter Klaas) doesn’t come in a sleigh with eight reindeer, he rides a big white horse, and comes to see the children on December 5 and 6. Tilly Lankhorst enjoys telling her granddaughter Cassandra , 4, about her childhood Christmas’ in Holland. “He wore a long red robe and a tall pointed hat like a Bishop,” said Tilly Lankhorst who was born and raised in Holland in the 1920’s. “Sinter Klaas also came with his two black helpers who were Moors. They were always dressed very fancy with feathers in their caps. They carried big bags filled with toys,” she added. On December 5 the children of Holland put their wooden shoes, filled with hay, carrots, and sugar cubes for Sinter Klaas’ horse, next to the fireplace. The next morning the shoes would be empty but the children would find the presents Sinter Klaas left for them. Tilly said Christmas Day was kept separate from the Sinter Klass celebration. “December 25 was strictly a religious holiday and no gifts were exchanged. We would go to church and the family would gather for a big dinner,” she said.