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| Christmas Carnivals » Christmas Around The World » Christmas In Netherlands |
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Christmas In Netherlands |
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Compared to other Western countries, Christmas in Netherlands is a muted affair. This is because of the fact that, in Netherlands, Dutch people celebrate Sinterklaas Avond or St. Nicolas Eve on 5th of December. St. Nicholas was a fourth century saint in modern Turkey. He was fond of children and any child in distress
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caused him anguish. However, he was very shy and did not want anyone to know about his generosities. The Dutch are extremely fond of him and 5th December is eagerly awaited all the year. On 6th of December, there are family gatherings and celebrations.
Christmas in Netherlands sees people going to the church attired in their holiday best. The next day, that is, Boxing Day is celebrated as the New Year's Day in Netherlands. 6th of January is celebrated as the Three Kings Day. The Dutch children are told that Sinterklaas sails from Spain to Netherlands for the feast on 5th of December. Dutch children keep their shoes outdoors and fill them with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas's horse. The gifts for the children usually are candies and nuts.
Children have a gala time in Christmas in Netherlands. They take the legend of Sinterklaas chastising the naughty children and loving the good children very seriously. In Twente, situated in east Holland, a special Advent ceremony is held in which special horns made from one year old saplings at home are blown over wells to announce the birth of Christ and chase away evil spirits. These horns are three or four feet long and have a deep tone. Know more of such fascinating facts from
Christmas Carnivals.
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