Dutch children put out Christmas shoe instead of stockings. (2024)

FAQs

What do Dutch children use instead of Christmas stockings? ›

Sixteenth century Dutch kids left straw-filled clogs by the hearth so Santa's (or Sinterclass, if you're Dutch) reindeer could have a snack. And, of course, they left cookies for Santa, but not in their clogs. In exchange, Sinterclass brought the children treats. Over time, the clogs evolved into stockings.

The tradition of receiving small gifts from St. Nicholas began with Dutch children, who put out their shoes the night before so St. Nicholas could leave gifts in them.

On Christmas Eve, instead of filling stockings with treats and small gifts, Pere Noel, the French equivalent of Father Christmas and Santa Claus fills their shoes, which are laid near the hearth.

In the Netherlands on St Nicholas Day (December 6), children would fill their shoes, usually a clog, with food gifts for the saint – such as nuts and fruits – and put them by the fireplace. In return, St Nick would leave edible treats, such as mandarins, and gifts.

Shoes by the Fire

In other countries, the tradition varies slightly with stockings and nibbles and drinks for Father Christmas, but French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.

On the evening that Sinterklaas arrives in The Netherlands, children leave a shoe out by the fireplace or sometimes a windowsill and sing Sinterklaas songs. They hope that Sinterklaas will come during the night with some presents.

In the Netherlands, children often leave carrots and hay to help energize Santa's horses — yes, horses — on their trip around the world.

In Iceland people over the Yule holidays most often eat smoked lamb, ptarmigan, and turkey. Pork is also very popular. Thirteen days before 24 December, children will leave their shoes by a window so that the 13 Yule Lads (jólasveinarnir) can leave small gifts in their shoes.

In their shoe, they leave a carrot or some hay and a bowl of water nearby "for Sinterklaas' horse", and the children sing a Sinterklaas song. The next day good children may find some candy or a small present in their shoes; naughty children may find a small sack of salt.

Each year, something peculiar happens on the eve of December 5: Children across Germany each leave a single boot outside their doorsteps, which is then magically filled overnight with chocolate and sweets. Sometimes, there's even a little bit of money.

What are stockings called in USA? ›

A tight fitting hosiery garment which sheathes the legs, hence the name. Americans know anything up to 40 denier as pantyhose, higher deniers become known as tights. Tights have been worn for centuries, originally by men, and now mainly by women and girls.

Christmas in Hawaii has many of the same traditions as on the mainland—but with a tropical twist. For example, the Hawaiians have Kanakaloka, the jolly bearded man also known as Santa Claus.

And many other countries have their own special treats to leave for Santa and whatever animal pulls his sleigh. Children in the United Kingdom leave the holiday-favorite mince pie, Swedish kids leave a special Christmas-time rice porridge, and in Germany, the gift is instead a letter to Santa.

A Dutch Christmas is similar to the experience in other western, predominantly-Christian countries: Christmas in the Netherlands is typified by family gatherings, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the eating of fine food and drink and in some – but not all families – the arrival of Santa Claus (Kerstman in ...

German kids, young and old, will receive stockings filled with clementines, chocolate, and small presents stuffed into their freshly shined shoes. Tradition also dictates that Nikolaus' companion Knecht Ruprecht will leave coal in their shoes if they've been naughty.

Personalised Christmas Stocking Bag An alternative Stocking or Christmas sack -The bag has so many uses - Hang from your stairs or mantlepiece for stocking fillers, for Christmas Party bags, shopping bags, Christmas Eve activity bags, or for gift wrapping a selection of Christmas gifts.

Preparing a Dutch Christmas feast

Although there are no candy canes, there are plenty of other goodies, such as oliebollen (a kind of an oily doughnut), Christmas stollen (round bread with currents and raisins), almond pastry rings, enough marzipan to last until next Christmas, and chocolate Christmas rings.

Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, predates and inspires the modern-day figure of Santa Claus. This unique Dutch Christmas tradition includes Sinterklaas' trusty sidekick, Black Peter or Zwarte Piet, who is believed to go down chimneys to leave presents for children.