Saint Nicholas

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Saint Nicholas
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The story of St. Nicholas..

• Nicholas was born in Turkey around 271AD
• His parents died when he was young
• He wanted to spend his money helping others
• He helped a family by secretly giving them gold

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The story of St. Nicholas..

• Nicholas became a priest and then a bishop
• He became famous because sailors told stories
  about him as they travelled around the world
• Over 30 countries celebrate his day on 6th
  December
• In the Netherlands everyone celebrates
  Sinterklaas by having parties and eating special
  food.

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Nicholas and the poor family

• Nicholas heard about a family who had lost their
  money.
• In those days, if you didnt have money, your
  daughters couldnt get married.
• This money was called a dowry. Without a dowry,
  the daughters would have to be sold as slaves.

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• Nicholas secretly gave the family enough gold for
  all three girls to marry.
• The father hid one night to see who was giving
  them the money.
• He thanked Nicholas, who told him not to tell
  anyone.

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The Netherlands -a year in the life of
Sinterklaas

• January - Sinterklaas rests!
• February - Sinterklaas travels around,
  watching to see how well children behave.
• November Sinterklaas travels to the Netherlands
  from Spain by steamboat with his helper and his
  milk-white horse.  

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Mid-November - 4 December

• Day - Sinterklaas and his helpers visit towns
• Night - Sinterklaas rides Schimmel to all the
• rooftops in the land.
• He drops chocolate letters, sweets and small
  presents down the chimneys for children who have
  been good all year.
• Children leave out shoes by the fireplace,
  filled with a carrot
• or some straw for the horse.

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December 5th - evening

• Grown-ups and children exchange gifts called
  "surprises".
• They make up poems about their friends and family
  and secretly put them on the gifts.
• People read their poem aloud in front of
  everyone.
• Traditional sweets and baked goods are eaten and
  the adults drink mulled wine