In Holland and Belgium (Vlaanderen, Dutch speaking part of the country) it's a tradition to give presents not with christmas but with Sinterklaas. For little children the fest. is almost like Santa Claus in the anglo saxon world. Only Sinterklaas has a lot of Pieten for help. (black men dressed in specific clothes who deliver the presents through chemneys. The fest has a lot of specific Dutch pastry like speculaas and Taai Taai all flavoured with nice spices. For the adults the festival is different, you make a wish list and put your name on it and then you swap the lists in groups of friends or family. You will have to make a suprise and make a hilaric, sarcastic poem for your friend/ familymember. The fest is always on 5 December as it's the birthday of Sinterklaas.
http://www.sinterklaas.nl/
http://www.sinterklaas.nl/
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