Happy Sinter Klaas Day!

Growing up, I remember celebrating Sinter Klaas. (Apparently it actually is celebrated on December 5th, according to my mom)  Looking at that photo, it’s pretty obvious that he has a history in an orthodox church, don’t you think?
Our Christian Reformed church would have a big party for all the children with Sinter Klaas arriving along with one or more helpers  all called  Swarte Piet (Black Peter).  Swarte Piet was dressed up in some crazy costume, of which I don’t remember the details except that this included a painted black face. There are many thoughts as to how he originated. Some say he represented evil (how horrible is that?!)  Some say that he was there to catch the naughty children, put them in his sack, and haul them away. Can anyone say ‘nightmare’?  Today there is some protesting going on about the racist  and political incorrectness of Swarte Piet (which is related to the history of slavery in Holland many years ago). My personal experience with the black helpers was that they  were very animated and helped to throw out ‘pepernotjes’ to all the children.  These were a type of small spicy ginger bread cookie,  crunchy and very tasty! And yes, these were tossed out to the throngs of excited little ones, and scooped up off the floors. Not as Food Safe as things are now, but a whole lot more fun!
Personally, we haven’t really celebrated Sinter Klaas in our home except for a few years where I’d leave a present outside the kids’ doors for them to open the next morning.  Then it just seemed to meander back to opening all the gifts on Christmas morning.
I think perhaps one of the purposes of Sinter Klaas Day was that it separated these festivities from the actual Christmas celebrations. These were 2 distinct celebrations, which actually did make a lot of sense. Christmas could then be a time of focusing on celebrating the coming of Jesus to the world.
But in my family of origin, the two just sort of melded together.  What did that look like? Besides celebrating Sinter Klaas in early December, we’d open presents Christmas Eve.   
After the Christmas Eve service at  church, where all the children would get goodie bags with mandarin oranges , chocolate, and candy in them, we’d get home and quickly change into our pajamas and excitedly gather in the living room for our gift opening. It was just the way we did things. And I have fond memories of it. I think Mom liked it because she could clean up the mess that evening and start off Christmas Day in an orderly fashion. ;) I think we went to church Christmas morning, as well.
I attempted to continue the Christmas Eve  tradition when we married, but it never stuck. It made no sense to Dave, and when our children started arriving, he really wanted them to open Christmas presents on Christmas morning. I’d rather switch than fight (that time, anyway!). And there is something about the anticipation of Christmas morning, I have to admit.
Happy Sinter Klaas Day to you all!