Saint Nicholas

The story of St. Nicholas..

• Nicholas was born in Turkey around 271AD

• His parents died when he was young• He wanted to spend his money

helping others• He helped a family by secretly giving

them gold

The story of St. Nicholas..

• Nicholas became a priest and then a bishop

• He became famous because sailors told stories about him as they travelled around the world

• Over 30 countries celebrate his day on 6th December

• In the Netherlands everyone celebrates Sinterklaas by having parties and eating special food.

Nicholas and the poor family

• Nicholas heard about a family who had lost their money.

• In those days, if you didn’t have money, your daughters couldn’t get married.

• This money was called a ‘dowry’. Without a dowry, the daughters would have to be sold as slaves.

• Nicholas secretly gave the family enough gold for all three girls to marry.

• The father hid one night to see who was giving them the money.

• He thanked Nicholas, who told him not to tell anyone.

The Netherlands -a year in the life of Sinterklaas

• January - Sinterklaas rests!• February - Sinterklaas travels around,

watching to see how well children behave. • November – Sinterklaas travels to the

Netherlands from Spain by steamboat with his helper and his milk-white horse.  

Mid-November - 4 December

• Day - Sinterklaas and his helpers visit towns • Night - Sinterklaas rides Schimmel to all the rooftops in the land. • He drops chocolate letters, sweets and small presents down the chimneys for children who have been good all year. • Children leave out shoes by the fireplace, filled with a carrot or some straw for the horse.

December 5th - evening

• Grown-ups and children exchange gifts called "surprises".

• They make up poems about their friends and family and secretly put them on the gifts.

• People read their poem aloud in front of everyone.

• Traditional sweets and baked goods are eaten and the adults drink mulled wine