But I wanted to savour this moment. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Find out what all the fuss is about! Chocolate letters. I burst into the living room, waving the envelope in the air like it was a winning lottery ticket. A Chocolate Letter from Santa — The Sinterklaas Way, inspiration for the modern Coca-Cola version that we’ve come to know and love, Testing without symptoms now possible in the Netherlands. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE RHINEBECK/SINTERKLAAS COMMUNITY from Jeanne Fleming for the Sinterklaas Crew Why do we do Sinterklaas? These letters are supposed to correspond to the first letter of your first (real!) Weighing 65g, our Dutch chocolate letters are only available for a limited time leading up to the holiday season, and the most popular Dutch chocolate letters run out first, so be sure to order in plenty of time. […] By far the best in my humble opinion and the brown stuff you want to find in your shoe. This is amazing! name. If you are dissatisfied with the website or any content or materials on it, your sole exclusive remedy is to discontinue your use of the website. It’s normally accompanied by an inexpensive gift (often in elaborate packaging called a surprise ). If you have found material on this website which is copyrighted by others, please contact the webmaster on this matter in order to have it removed. My eyes went wide, my heart skipped a beat and I made a sound that some might consider a squeal of delight. However, siblings would go to war with each other when trying to find their stack, so the parents needed a good way to mark them. An actual letter from the Sint uit Spanje! Best feeling ever. Let us know in the comments below! Invading Holland © 2021. The letters are made with varying thickness, and this ensures that everyone gets the same amount of chocolate, no matter how elaborate their initials are. © 2019 All Rights Reserved. A Sinterklaas poem is a piece of writing given to a designated person. I hope you’ll enjoy this Sinterklaas time and find it fun. You see, the Dutch love to give each other chocolate letters for Sinterklaas. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Letters became associated with Sinterklaas in the 19th century, when a sheet was used to cover St. Nicholas presents. Dutch Circle Party Guide – How to Survive a Dutch Birthday, Sinterklaas vs Santa – Eight Humorous Differences. It starts when he shows up on his boat from Spain, and he drops off little presents all the way up to the 5th of December (6th if you’re reading this in Belgium). They are made from dark, milk or white chocolate – sometimes with hazelnuts or fruit & nut combos, decorated or plain – they are all lekker! But, one thing can always be counted on: each lucky youngster will get their first initial molded out of chocolate. I never comment but this time I have to. All Rights Reserved. https://dutchreview.com/culture/sinterklaas-gives-chocolate-letter Feature Image: Arch/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain What do you need to know about the Netherlands? How are you three, by the way. Please post your Sinterklaas poem entries here! I always remember sending letters to Santa as a kid. Even more, here in the Netherlands they are basically competitors. The US and UK Santa brings gifts for Christmas, the Dutch Sinterklaas brings gifts on the 5th of December, and Sinterklaas has no relation whatsoever with Christmas. Chocolate letters are a form of candy associated with the Dutch holiday of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. Dear Child Editors note: This article was originally published in December 2015 and was updated in December 2020 for your reading pleasure. This last point is the day that’s named in his honor, and that’s the time when he lets loose with all of the best presents.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'dutchreview_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',162,'0','0'])); Sinterklaas and his friend Zwarte Piet sometimes hand the goodies to the kids directly, but they’re also known to sneak in through the chimney and leave them in clean little pairs of boots. One of the earliest traditions was parents getting a letter made of bread when their child was born, and this inspired the schoolteachers of the middle ages. An introduction, the letter and a postscript are below, along with a recording of Murnane, as Catharyna, reading it from inside the home. As a reminder, you have until December 5th, 23:59, EST to submit them! It has Germanic roots, and comes from a time when a rune letter was made of bread and given to new-born children. Then of course it is very nice to have chocolate letters in your house. She knew exactly what I was blathering about without a moment’s hesitation and, like me, was instantly excited. It contained Old Santeclaus, an old man on a reindeer sleigh, bringing presents to children. Tags: pakjesavondSinterklaasZwarte Pieten. If you think of Sinterklaas, you soon think of chocolate letters. Dutch architecture in South Africa you can still see today, Video: Incredible footage of 1920s Amsterdam in colour, Sinterklaas for Expats - All the Dutch you need for Pakjesavond - DutchReview, What do Dutch kids eat? I’d been talking about this moment for days. It is also customary to make good-natured fun of your loved ones by way of humorous poetry and offering the infamous "surprise," which is a homemade gag gift that hides another present inside. Here are 5 great Dutch novels — that are fully translated in English! Get up to 35% off. You don’t need to be Robert Frost for this poem though, and you probably won’t need to pull a … The holiday, consisting of Saint Nicholas's Eve and Saint Nicholas's Day, is observed by exchanging gifts and chocolate letters of the recipient's first initial. The letters were made from pastries, or even sausages, but advances in the cocoa bean industry allowed for the chocolate versions to appear in the 20th century. I might not have received an answer to my questions but I am still so happy to get a letter from Sinterklaas himself… and even a personal message from the writing Piet (who might be on to me that I was not completely honest about my age). We can’t answer them. A: Closely related Sinterklaas figures are celebrated in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium as well as French Flanders. Shop unique cards for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Congratulations, and more. *. Since then he has learned to love the Dutch (so much so that he married one of them) and now calls the country home. For everyone else, remember to clean your boots and leave them in front of the fireplace. He started the blog Invading Holland in 2006 as a place to share his strange stories of language misunderstandings, cultural confusions and his own accident prone nature. We’re not sure how old you are either but… everything is good, also this letter. This year's chocolate letters are even more delicious and creamier, as they contain more cocoa and less sugar. All material on this website (DutchReview) is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Or perhaps you will keep it for yourself. Please send me your letter and I will try to respond as soon as possible. Photo about Chocolate letters from Sinterklaas isolated on white background. Celebrants of the Sinterklaas celebration are traditionally given their initials made out of chocolate, either on Sinterklaas Eve, which is the fifth of December each year, or during the morning on Sinterklaas Day, which is the sixth day of December. Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus (and quite possibly the inspiration for the modern Coca-Cola version that we’ve come to know and love), and he has a busy season in the Netherlands. My name is Sinterklaas, I know, it is hard to pronounce, maybe my official name Saint Nicholas will be easier to announce. The website may provide links to other websites on the Internet, the content of which is not in our control. A Dutch Culinary Journey for Kids - DutchReview, Aparthotel Adagio — have a long-stay in luxury (at an affordable price), The Dutch curfew declaration form: all you need to know if you have to be out late, Dutch parliament passes curfew: here’s all you need to know about the “avondklok”. This is a typical delicacy that belongs to this Dutch holiday. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). The Sinterklaas celebrations start on the second Saturday of November when Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands. That should cover the basics! Tags: pakjesavond Sinterklaas Zwarte Pieten Stuart Even his move to the country was an unintentional accident, the result of replying to a cryptic job advertisement he found one day in a local British magazine. That is not necessary. Stuart is an accident prone Englishman who has been living in the Netherlands since 2001. Every child received a nice gift and got a chocolate letter from Sinterklaas. Do you live abroad, but still want to celebrate Sinterklaas? That’s right, Dutch kids want a chocolate letter. Jan 8, 2015 - The Dutch version of Santa Claus, 'Sinterklaas' (or Saint Nicholas) is a celebrated each December in the Netherlands. Hallo Stuart And because of the new packaging, it is a gift in itself. We're constantly hunting for the latest, greatest, and most Dutch spots for our readers. Bye for now. They are totally different festivities, and calling Sinterklaas “the Dutch Santa” is just not how it works. I love to get letters from children of all ages. The chocolate letters are available in dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. Come December 5, it’ll be there, next to the chocolate and presents—a tiny letter from a … Fully of excitement I rushed up stairs as fast as I … On December 6 each year, Belgian children wake up and rush to see if St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, as he is known in Flemish-speaking parts of the country, has left presents for them. Colored marzipan shaped into fruits, animals or other objects, Taai-Taai (read: tie-tie, chewy bits of gingerbread) and lots of Pepernoten. You don’t just rush opening a letter from Sinterklaas. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your guide to Dutch festive food and drinks! Did you get any presents from Sinterklaas this year? Some children find it all a little too exciting/scary. Rather than receiving letters from Santa, Dutch children tend to demand something much more delicious — a literal letter made of chocolate. A long letter with a lot of questions. Write a Letter to Santa. Even his move to the country was an unintentional accident, the result of replying to a cryptic job advertisement he found one day in a local British magazine. Fully of excitement I rushed up stairs as fast as I could to share the news. The boys are getting a little too old to believe in Sinterklaas but we still enjoy our treats the morning of the 6th and tell stories about the old saint and his friend Piet. The Sint seemed to have a little meeting with my boss, and he decided that everyone in the office had been good enough to receive a letter this year. Image of background, eating, letters - 11189765 Likeahike – Maybe he is trying to tell me I can bribe the answers out of him. According to the Dutch Sinterklaas story and traditions, Sinterklaas lives in Spain and every year he comes to Holland, where he arrives in a different city or town, so all the children get a chance of meeting Sinterklaas in real life. Order online - worldwide delivery of Saint Nicolas goods like Black Peter's scatter sweets with ginger snaps or spice nuts, chocolate letters from A to Z in milk chocolate, dark/bitter sweet chocolate of Droste, Verkade and chocolate bars of Tony's Chocolonely.Choose chocolate money like Euro coins, BITCOINS or … An actual letter from the Sint uit Spanje! This delicious habit has changed forms relatively recently, but it’s actually been going on for centuries. “Santa” and Sinterklaas are absolutely not the same thing. An official reply to my letter from Sinterklaas himself! Santa Claus is thought to be a combination of Sinterklaas and the British Father Christmas. In 1821, the book A New-year’s present, to the little ones from five to twelve was published in New York. You have entered an incorrect email address! My wife didn’t even have to ask. Bekijk 'em hier! Learn how your comment data is processed. Another form used sometimes was the koekletter (cookie letter… RTV Emmen maakte in samenwerking met Stichting Sinterklaas Emmen een Sinterklaasfilm. Throughout the centuries, bread letters were used in different settings. Sinterklaas must have also realized I enjoy drawing cartoons because he included a colouring activity sheet on the back of the letter.Thank you Sinterklaas. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'dutchreview_com-leader-1','ezslot_3',107,'0','0']));If you’re skeptical about the existence of an ancient saint who happily gives chocolate goodies to everyone, you can take your mistaken mindset to Albert Heijn and have your choice of all kinds of letters. Weverkeshof is continuing the tradition this year, although Sinterklaashof itself will stay closed for the public. My eyes went wide, my heart skipped a beat and I made a sound that some might consider a squeal of delight. When the boat arrives in the harbour and I see all those happy smiling faces and waving little hands, I am always happy to be back in Holland. Sinterklaas Poem Writing Event. Typical sweets treats from Sinterklaas are chocolate letters, usually the first of the child’s name, chocolate coins, a chocolate figurine of Sinterklaas wrapped in decorated aluminum foil. He introduced the images of Sinterklaas delivering presents by the chimney, riding over the roofs of houses on a grey horse and arriving from … I’m a little older than your average Sinterklaas fan, but I happened to find a little present on my desk last week. I gave myself a moment and then… when I was ready I took a deep breath, slowly picked the envelope up from the table, carefully opened it, took the letter out from inside, cautiously unfolded it and then… handed it to my wife for translation. The modern tradition of Sinterklaas as a children's feast was confirmed with the illustrated children's book "Sint Nicolaas en zijn knecht" (Saint Nicholas and His Servant) written in 1850 by Jan Schenkman (1806–1863). Hollandshopper has a large range of Dutch chocolate letters for your Sinterklaas celebrations. Sinterklaas candy, marzipan, chocolate letters, and some specialty items Yummy Dutch is a new online grocery shop; shipping costs are high for small orders Purchase from Yummy Dutch Chocolate initials, scatter sweets, marzipan - worldwide delivery. The reason I am writing this letter, is that I think the Christmas calendar would be better, if there is a place in it for me and my celebration, that is why I am writing this job application. […], […] Chocolate Letters – teaching the alphabet the fun […]. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. VallyP – We’re all doing great. Please understand that I am very busy getting ready for Christmas, so I may not be able to respond right away. LETTER FROM SINTERKLAAS As always, kids can send a letter to Sinterklaas and receive a reply from Sinterklaas. However, that has not always been the case with this tradition. Phew! --because we LOVE our community and our children! Buy yourself your letter if you’re lonely and no-one gives it to you. High-quality Sinterklaas Greeting Cards designed and sold by artists. This is guaranteed to surprise your family or friends. A far better text than this short segment on this delight is to be found here. Typical Sinterklaas treats traditionally include mandarin oranges, pepernoten, speculaas (sometimes filled with almond paste), banketletter (pastry filled with almond paste) or a chocolate letter (the first letter of the child's name made out of chocolate), chocolate coins, suikerbeest (animal-shaped figures made of sugary confection), and marzipan figures. 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