Our debt to the Dutch (for example, myself)

While wandering around the internet in a fit of post-school boredom, I stumbled across an amazing fact! Yes, Santa Claus (or rather, Sinterklaas or "De Goedheiligman") is Dutch! He is usually celebrated on St. Nicholas' Eve (December 5th).

Also interestingly, the prototype for the American "elfs" that help Santa is Zwarte Piete, who helps Sinterklaas distribute gifts to children. This is remembering some Moorish kids or somesuch that the real St. Nick apparently saved. I'm just amused by the whole black-elf helper thing. Surprise that part of the legend never really made it across the Atlantic. . .

The biggest difference between Sinterklaas and Santa Claus (besides the color of his "helping hands") is that Sinterklaas doesn't have a magic sleigh. He arrives in the Benelux area via steamboat from Spain sometime in November. I'm glad the Dutch at least have a practical view of mythical gift-wielding personalities. No one can really expect someone to give gifts all over the world, even with magic. Which begs the question: how in the world did we get the idea of magic flying reindeer???

Anyways, I just thought I'd spread some Christmas cheer and Dutch pride. Next time you see your younger family members receive gifts from Santa Claus, remember to tell them to thank that oft-forgotten Gouda-manufacturing country for the joy it has brought them.