Another one of the fun Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas traditions is to hang the Christmas tree upside down and decorate it. Some say that hanging the Christmas tree upside down is a very old European tradition either rooted in religion or a need to save space in small homes. Streets can become very busy leading up to the big day, indicating that Christmas in the Netherlands has also not been immune to commercialism. , this might be the first time you experience Dutch Christmas. Try it Free Find it at your Library. During the Dutch St. Nicholas holiday, Netherlanders gather for parades in which the saint (in Dutch, Sinterklass) arrives in town to hand out candy and gifts. But these parades have taken on an increasingly political and violent tone because of Santa’s traditional blackface sidekick. Have you noticed an interesting Dutch Christmas tradition? As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a “rascal” with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a “huge pair of Flemish trunk hose.”. Here we look at seven of the most popular family Christmas traditions and their origins. The Dutch don't call Santa Claus by that name, instead in the Netherlands he is called Kerstman, or Christmas man. Dutch Christmas songs. Typically, the Dutch will forgo the traditional Christmas roast, and opt for what is called gourmetten . Many expats staying through the Dutch Christmas season are thus pleasantly surprised by the familiarity of Dutch Christmas traditions while at the same time relieved, perhaps, of the absence of some of the more commercial traditions that go hand-in-hand with festivities back home. This is an eve when Sinterklaas visits the homes of every child and leaves them some gifts and treats to enjoy. There is however no turkey, fruit cake or any complicated dish. Moreover, he’s accompanied by the controversial Black Peter (Zwarte Piet), his assistant whose face is covered with soot and who's the one going down the chimney to leave gifts for children. Serve it up with coffee. The Dutch name for Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Nov 8, 2019 - Explore Cathy Smith's board "Dutch Christmas foods", followed by 164 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about dutch recipes, food, recipes. It was nice to read…. Birthdays are greeted with enthusiasm in Dutch culture. One Dutch Christmas song is about a dead rabbit. The Netherlands has a long, North Sea coastline. The Netherlands' Controversial Blackface Christmas Tradition People dressed as the character known as Zwarte Piet or Black Pete arrive on a boat with Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) Nov. 24, 2018, in Katwijk, Netherlands. Families go to church together on Christmas Eve and then again on Christmas morning. The tradition evolved here (as it did in the UK), from a gift of food for farm workers to take home to their families after Christmas, to an annual gift for tradesmen. Ahhh Christmas: the smell of turkey wafts through the house as the family gathers around the table to enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.Potatoes, Brussels sprouts, pigs in blankets - yum! Specifically, in Lancaster County, in 1821, as is the first written mention of the Christmas tree tradition in the United States. Some of the typical treats are: Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. Thanks again. The history of Christmas traditions kept evolving throughout the 19th century, when most of the familiar components of the modern Christmas including St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and Christmas trees, became popular.The changes in how Christmas was celebrated were so profound that it's safe to say someone alive in 1800 would not even recognize the Christmas … When Marlene was growing up, her dad, an Amsterdam native, would bake this bread a few days before Christmas. Birthdays are greeted with enthusiasm in Dutch culture. Dutch Christmas Traditions. A small difference you might note? He is depicted as an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. But there are many enjoyable Dutch traditions surrounding their arrival, and children never complain about getting presents from Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet on 5 December. Sinterklaas Dresses Like a Catholic Bishop. This is a Christmas gift box that bosses distribute to their staff shortly before Christmas as a traditional sign of gratification for the hard work performed in the past year. Furthermore, Dutch also have their own Father Christmas or Santa Claus called Kerstman. Christmas dinners in The Netherlands Yummy Dutch is a webshop with typical Dutch products.On this page you can read all our blog posts and recipes. I was always curious as to the Celebration of Christmas in the Netherlands. While most Europeans begin celebrating Christmas on December 1st, the Dutch begin the first Saturday after November 11th when Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain. The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday and an additional candle is lit each following Sunday. You may change your settings at any time. St Nicholas Day (Sankt Nikolaus Tag) St Nicholas Day is a favorite holiday with German children. Family and friends will probably visit, call or send a card. If you are planning to eat out, remember it is always wise – just to be on the safe side – to make reservations far in advance. But Sinterklaas Day isn’t just an early Christmas. It’s a tune that never leaves me throughout the Christmas period and the video to this one from Toppers is like the most cliché Christmas party ever. Instead of a sleigh from the North Pole, Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain called Pakjesboot. I have deep hearted ties to there and have soft thoughts to a magical place in the world. Among the religious population, not all Christians knew the meaning of Christmas either. Christmas and PA Dutch Traditions by Bryan Hay. The Dutch, practical as they are, traditionally eat something they call “gourmet” which might leave you puzzled. Host Patrick Donmoyer shares the folklore and customs the Pennsylvania Dutch have celebrated for centuries during the holiday season on Pennsylvania German. People put them up in public spaces and their living rooms and decorate them with lights and ornaments. The distribution of. Even though Pennsylvania Dutch are credited with bringing the Christmas tree to America, they were not like the familiar ones we see today. Let’s not forget the end-of-year bash, New Year’s Eve (Oud en Nieuw) in the Netherlands, when crowds, especially younger generations, head for the central squares of the larger cities. Now that that is out of the way, let's get to some Dutch Christmas traditions. If you're ambitious enough to learn a Dutch Christmas song yourself, visit this site for English translations. Furthermore, Dutch also have their own Father Christmas or Santa Claus called. Christmas is the 25th of December, but this is referred to as the Dutch as the 1st Day of Christmas. 42 Disturbing Facts About Bizarre Christmas Traditions. This is an eve when Sinterklaas visits the homes of every child and leaves them some gifts and treats to enjoy. Don’t feel alarmed if you’re presented with a number of small uncooked pieces of meat - for Christmas in the Netherlands, everyone sits down at the dining room table and cooks their own food . Dutch Christmas Bread (Kerstbrood) This recipe for Dutch Christmas Bread comes from Marlene’s side of the family, and I always love learning about her Dutch traditions. Music has an important role in Dutch Christmas traditions. So despite the fact that some 50 percent of the Dutch celebrate Christmas in the Netherlands with presents – and is a growing custom – Santa is still typically second place in comparison with Sinterklaas. Department stores eagerly get into the swing of things during Christmas in the Netherlands, decorating every floor with bows, wreaths, fake presents, and large plastic trees, in preparation for the burgeoning shopping crowds. When nights falls on December 5, Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands. Legend has it that he is accompanied by a servant named Black Peter who … Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. A tradition that appears in the Netherlands around Sinterklaas and Christmas time is the gratis (free) gift wrapping. This warming drink is significantly more peppery than other European variants and contains traditional Dutch spices like anise, nutmeg and cinnamon. Thank you from Hawaii where we say: “Mele Kalikimaka” Merry Christmas! Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. I needed this information for a school project. They gather together for a family dinner of roast hare, venison, goose, or turkey. While the Dutch don’t refer to the day after Christmas as Boxing Day, they do retain the tradition of the Christmas box or package (kerstpakket). 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