My last post showed you all the glitz and glamour of the German Christmas Markets. Not much can top that kind of Christmas beauty!
In this post, however, I want to show you the every day reality of Christmas time in the Netherlands, or at least in Goes. The feeling in the air is still special and heart warming, even though the decor is a little more subdued. I have to say that the town of Goes makes Christmas a big deal, with more decorating than many American towns.
The Story Of St Nicholas
A local Dutch woman told me that, according to the legend, St Nicholas comes from Spain. He visits Dutch children throughout the evening of December 5, leaving them gifts that they find on the morning of December 6.
The kids excitedly fill a shoe with a few things for St. Nicholas and his horse, such as a drawing and a carrot. On December 5, the kids leave the shoe next to the fireplace for St Nicholas’s helpers, the Pieten, to find after they slip down the fireplace. The Peiten take the gifts left for them out of the shoe, and then fill the shoe with gifts for the children.
It is my understanding that December 5 and 6 are the culmination of the celebration, called Sinterklaas. Children get large gifts on that end date. The celebration starts weeks before when St. Nicholas rides into a local port on a boat in mid November. He waves at the children as he rides into town, gets off the boat, and in the weeks following he visits the children at schools and other designated places, giving them small gifts here and there. Parents also give their children small gifts during the weeks of Sinterklaas.
Busy Shoppers
As someone who lives in the city center, among all the Goes stores, I have observed first hand the busy shopping that has taken place over the past couple months. Whenever I leave my apartment and enter the street out front, I am greeted with many shoppers carrying bags, eating snacks and chatting with loved ones. It really has been fun to be surrounded by so many people. I am alone much of each day, but I know that one trip downstairs will fill my need for company.
I thought that the crowds might slow down after December 6, since St Nicholas has gone back to Spain. But the people just kept coming to town, and the shops continued to be busy. After asking about this, my local Dutch friend told me that the American Christmas tradition of celebrating on December 25 has now infiltrated the Netherlands. Many Dutch people now celebrate both the early Sinterklaas festival and again on December 25.
Kerstmarkt in Goes
One weekend, Goes had its own version of Kerstmarkt, or Christmas markets. The town used the old church behind our apartment, one they call Oude Kerk, to host vendors. Like the German Christmas markets, these little stands sold anything from food to soap to clothes to Christmas decor. It really was fun to walk through, partly because of the beauty of the church, partly because of all the fun good offered. Here are some pictures of the Goes Kerstmarkt.
This is the Oude Kerk from our back deck. It is stately and beautiful.
Here are some stands inside the church. The tall church pillars and windows are beautiful.
A view of the church front. The organ pipes in the distance are stunning.
One of my favorite parts about big old churches are the pulpits. They usually are elaborate.
This is the very first time I have seen Dutch costumes since coming to the Netherlands in July. Only one table at the Kerstmarkt had vendors dressed in traditional costume.
Music is always a big deal at Christmas, and the Dutch provide lots of great Christmas music. Since I live by 3 old churches, I hear it every day from the church bells. The songs played at Christmas in the Netherlands are no different than our American Christmas songs. Here are some pictures of musicians at the Kerstmarkt.
Decor Around Town
Like I said earlier, Goes does a good job of decorating the town for the holiday. They brought in lots of greenery around the Center, along with many cheerful red decorations. The stores fill their windows up with holiday cheer as well. Here are some pictures from around Goes.
And there is a small taste of Christmas in my Goes neighborhood. I have to say that I love Christmas time in Goes. I can feel the excitement in the air and in the people on the street. As much as I longed to be with my kids at Christmas, I was a little sad to leave the Goes atmosphere. We will see what things are like in January. 🙂 Yes, I am in Iowa now. All is well.
