From Madrid and Loaded with Oranges: This is the Dutch Santa Claus

Christmas is completely different in every country around the world. Some celebrate it on the 25th surrounded by family and friends, others dress up in spooky costumes, and some simply do not celebrate it at all. Each culture has its own unique Christmas celebration, but one thing they all share is the tradition of gift-giving.

Giving something to your loved ones is a unique experience, but it can be even better when it is delivered by someone special. In Spain, we are fortunate to have the magic of Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men, incredible beings who deliver gifts to children and adults on December 24th and January 6th. Everyone eagerly awaits these dates because if they have been well-behaved, they will receive what they desire most.

But Santa Claus is not the only one delivering gifts around the world; in the rest of Europe, the one responsible for this Christmas task is Santa Claus or Sinterklaas, a very interesting figure whose story dates back hundreds of years and is deeply linked to Spain. Unlike ours, this old man dressed in red travels by ship and spreads joy around the world.

With the arrival of Christmas, when the lights twinkle and the festive spirit fills the air, a unique tradition unfolds in Holland and other European countries. While in our country gifts arrive from far northern lands like Lapland or from the East like the Three Wise Men, in this European corner, the source of magical gifts is none other than Spain.

The Christmas tradition in Holland begins when Saint Nicholas disembarks on the Dutch shores accompanied by his faithful companion, the white horse Amerigo, and his helper, now renamed as Pedrito. Together, they travel through the cities joyfully tossing spiced cookies. This marks the beginning of a unique celebration that captures the imagination of both children and adults.

The origin of this tradition is related to the figure of Saint Nicholas of Bari, a bishop who passed away on December 6th in the year 345. Precisely in honor of that date, the beginning of Christmas is celebrated in Holland. His connection to Spain is due to the fact that at that time the territory of Bari belonged to our country, which explains that Saint Nicholas came from Spanish lands.

Although today we associate the figure of Santa Claus with American influence, the reality is that his origin dates back to the 19th century in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, where the adaptation of the name Sinterklaas into English evolved into Santa Claus. Thus, the Spanish connection of Saint Nicholas remains alive in the roots of this iconic figure.

Among the many stories surrounding Saint Nicholas, there is one very tender tale that turned this red-clad man into a beloved and admired figure. The legend recounts how Santa Claus helped a family whose father did not have enough money to marry off his daughters.

Santa entered the house at night, saw three stockings drying by the chimney, and filled them with gold to help the young women get married. This is how the Christmas tradition of hanging stockings in chimneys began.

It is said that Santa Claus comes at night by ship from Spain filled with gifts. It is not historically clear whether the famous old man in red travels from Madrid or from Alicante, but it is true that in addition to those delicious cookies, he also carries oranges which he distributes to all who have been well-behaved.

This beautiful tradition is another unique way to celebrate Christmas, whose story is very much linked to our country and which every year brings happiness to thousands of people who keep the hope and Christmas spirit alive, giving Saint Nicholas the strength to continue his work for another year.