Saint Nicholas Day - Belgian

I am Saint Nicholas Day, a special holiday that people in Belgium celebrate each year. My date is always the 6th of December. I honor a person who lived a very long time ago, a kind bishop named Nicholas. He lived in a place that is now the country of Turkey. Stories about Bishop Nicholas say he was known for being very generous and kind. He was especially good to children who were in need, and my celebration remembers his spirit of giving.

When people celebrate me, they think of some very important characters. The main one is Saint Nicholas himself, who is also called Sinterklaas in some parts of Belgium. According to the stories told about me, he doesn't live nearby. He travels all the way from Spain on a big steamboat to arrive just in time for my celebration. He looks very grand in his special clothes. He wears a tall, red hat called a mitre and a long robe, and he carries a beautiful golden staff. Saint Nicholas doesn't travel alone. He rides a wonderful white horse, and he has a helper, a companion who is always with him. This companion has different names depending on where you are in Belgium. Some people call him Zwarte Piet, and others call him Père Fouettard.

My arrival is a very exciting time, especially for children. The preparations begin the night before I officially arrive. On the evening of December 5th, children get ready for the visit from Saint Nicholas. It is a special tradition for them to take off their shoes, make sure they are nice and clean, and then place them in a special spot. Sometimes they put them near the warm fireplace, and other times they leave them right by the front door. Many children also think about Saint Nicholas's white horse. They know the horse must be tired and hungry after its long journey, so they leave a little treat for it. They might leave a crunchy carrot, a sweet sugar cube, or a small bowl of water.

After a night of waiting, the most exciting part of my celebration happens. When children wake up on the morning of December 6th, the first thing they do is run to check their shoes. It's a moment filled with wonder. If they have been good throughout the year, they find an amazing surprise. Their shoes are no longer empty! Instead, they are filled with all sorts of treats. They might find sweet chocolates shaped like Saint Nicholas or his helper. There are often special spiced cookies called speculoos, which are a favorite part of my traditions. Juicy clementines are another common treat. But the surprises don't always stop there. Sometimes, Saint Nicholas also leaves small toys for the children to discover. All of these gifts and treats make me a very happy day for many children all across Belgium.