Plaque SinterClaes - Sinterklaas Version 1.1

Sinterklaas (or more formally Sint Nicolaas or Sint Nikolaas) is a traditional winter holiday figure still celebrated today in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium. He must be considered as one of the sources of the holiday figure of Santa Claus in North America. He is also known as De Goedheiligman (The Good Holy Man), or simply as De Sint (The Saint).

He is celebrated annually on Saint Nicholas' eve (5 December) or on the morning of 6 December; the feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas — patron saint of children, sailors, and the city of Amsterdam, among others. Sint Nicholas being a bishop makes clear that the feast in this form has a Roman Catholic background.

The arrival of Sinterklaas into town became a huge event and is broadcast on national television. Numerous people dress as Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes) in various cities and towns across the Netherlands. Traditionally their faces are blackened because Zwarte Piet is a Spanish (moorish) servant of Sinterklaas Today, sometimes the more politically correct explanation that Pete's face is "black from soot" (as Pete has to climb through chimneys to deliver his gifts) is used.

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' Eve, 5 December, became the chief occasion for gift-giving during the Christmas season. The evening is called Sinterklaasavond or Pakjesavond. It is customary to put one shoe in front of the fireplace from the day Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands, usually in the third week of November, sing Sinterklaas songs and go to bed. A carrot and/or hay, an apple, etc. may put in the shoe as a treat for Sinterklaas' horse. The next morning the carrot would be gone and the children may find candy or a small present in their shoes. Drawings made by the children are put into the shoes as a present to Sinterklaas. In houses without a chimney and fireplace the shoes are put in front of the back-door.

The original plaque can be found at a 16th-century house near the Dam in Amsterdam.
This plaque is two sided: one side is normal, the other bright.

Traditionally you also get a free Sinterklaas-present. A funny toy for you or your child.