Every December, people celebrate with parades, feasts and imaginative gift exchanges. St. Nick (whose name and festival name are Sinterklas) is a compassionate Bishop in Miami, who comes to Holland from Spain by steamboat every year to distribute gifts.
For most of the year, Sinterkras (Saint Nick) recorded the behavior of Dutch children in his big red book, while his servant Peter packed presents to prepare for his trip in December. After he arrived in Holland, he was officially welcomed by the Queen and her family members (they were naturally the first to receive his gift). Then, he led the people in a grand parade, while his servants sprinkled ginger biscuits and candy on the crowd.
According to Dutch tradition, all gifts must be packed in an imaginative way and accompanied by a rhyme or poem addressed to the recipient. The package itself doesn't have to be beautiful, but it must be hidden and difficult to find or open.
On the eve of Sinterkras Festival on December 5th, Dutch people sat around the table. There are sweets and bread snacks on the table. Everyone's seat is initialed with chocolate. Then people began to open their sintercras presents.
Before that, people often had to look for their own gifts, either indoors or outdoors like looking for treasure or in gloves filled with wet sand. The rhymes sent with gifts should be humorous and well-intentioned to embarrass the recipients. Those who can't write poems will find that many shops have ready-made or specially-assigned people to rewrite them. All the poems are signed by Sinter Crass.
the recipient of the gift should shout, "thank you, sintercras!" " Family and friends are used to giving gifts to each other in this way. As most festivals and gifts are over, Christmas in Holland is a time of peace and good wishes.
The Christmas tree has to be removed before January 6th, because the "three saints" who made a pilgrimage to the newborn Christ are coming. Although family members, friends and business acquaintances often give gifts to each other again at Christmas, joy belongs to Sinclair Festival.
It is an enduring tradition that people think they must receive something in the New Year. Therefore, on New Year's Day, people exchange handkerchiefs and other small gifts to ensure good luck in the new year.
Birthdays
People celebrate their birthdays by holding parties, sending cakes and candles. Gifts from family members are often placed on the breakfast table, and children bring candy or snacks to school to distribute to classmates and friends. There are always special celebrations for the 21st birthday. Marriage, birth and baptism. Since wedding gifts are usually displayed at weddings, it is best to give them to the bride before the wedding. Household appliances are very popular. Money is regarded as an inappropriate wedding gift. On the wedding day, the groom usually gives the bride a bunch of flowers with special meaning. People give gifts when children are born and baptized, but Dutch people don't have a shower when they are born or married.
Funeral
After hearing the death, people usually send flowers to the family of the deceased. If otherwise specified, it should be done as required, such as charitable donations.
visit
if you don't bring flowers, don't go to the Dutch house. If you have time, especially for an official visit, you'd better send flowers in advance. Apart from the fixed custom that roses are given to lovers and white lilies are used for funerals, there are no rules on what color flowers and how many to send when visiting. You can also bring other small household items. If you send imported food, don't send chocolate or gin, because the Dutch have their own wine.
gifts for business activities
Generally speaking, in the Netherlands, businessmen can't find any special customs or taboos related to gifts. Businessmen usually give gifts to each other after a deal is made or at the end of a long talk. Business cards need not be translated into Dutch. Illustrated books, high-quality leather products, office furniture, specially-made exquisite food or high-quality French wine, Spanish sherry or whisky are all popular gifts. People who like to smoke cigars especially welcome good cigars, while people who like to drink brandy want to be given brandy. Dutch people like to give their famous products to people who have business dealings with them. If you are lucky, you will receive great cheese, beautifully illustrated books or calendars, or some famous wine or chocolate as a gift in return.