Wooden Shoes & Sinterklaas

 Every year, on December 5, Sinterklaas visits our home. Sinterklaas is Dutch Santa. My grandfather is from Holland. I never met him. He and my grandma had my dad when they were both in their 50's. Bless their little hearts... Every year at Christmas time, my dad would tell me and my siblings the stories his dad told him of living in Holland as a child, and Sinterklaas. My husband and I invite my parents over every year to share the same stories with our kids. It is so fun! Then, the kids place their shoes under the tree, and anxiously await the arrival of Sinterklaas.

 

I buy all my wooden shoes at thrift shops. They are about $10 to $15 each. I like them to look authentic, like my Dad and Grandpa's. I don't like them to be painted with scenery for the most part.

I was excited when I found these, but didn't like the mural.

So, I painted them red. Don't hate. I would never paint any shoes that had any sentimental value.

I was dreading the thought of hand painting the white part, when I saw something so cool on Studio 5. It is a marker that acts like a paintbrush! Genius! You can see the Studio 5 clip here. I decided to give it a shot, and OH MY!!! It was perfect! In no time at all, I had these!!! The kind of marker I used is called, Galaxy Marker, and can be found at Benion Crafts for $1.99 each.

I just copied some shoes I found online. I typed in , "red wooden shoes," on google, and found this. 

You can see in the picture, that they are not perfect, but I feel like it makes them even more charming.

Look at the back. I wrote Sophie's name on them. I hope she will cherish them forever!

 When Sinterklaas comes, he fills the shoes with pepernoten (recipe here), a chocolate letter, an orange, gold coins, and some wooden ornaments.

These are my shoes. So charming, and adorable!

My baby sat still with me for a half a second... long enough to snap this sweet picture.

 It's fun for all on Sinterklaas Eve at the Baker house.

 

Sinterklaas morning is also great fun! The kids are always thrilled to see what he brings, because it is not like the traditional things they get from Santa.

 

If you would like more Dutch inspiration, please visit my, "Everything Dutch," Pinterest Board.

Do you have any special Christmas traditions? I would love to hear about them!

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa