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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Sinterklaas Day

This is a post I did a few years ago on how to paint thrifted wooden shoes. I thought it fitting to bring it back, since I talked about Christmas traditions from other countries on Studio 5 today. Be sure and tune in today to ksl 5, at 1pm mst, or stream it online at www.studio5.ksl.com.

 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

St. Lucia Day

A fun tradition we like to practice during December, is St. Lucia Day. These are a few pics of Sophie this year.

You can read about St. Lucia HERE.

All you need to do this at home, is a white sheet, red Christmas ribbon, a wreath with candles, and a tray.











Sinterklaas Day

We have not celebrated Sinterklaas Day yet this year, because I was sick, then Rhett got strep, then he got his tonsils out. It has been a crazy December! We are planning to do Sinterklaas on Sunday, and hopefully I will be able to update my pictures. These are from four years ago. I was nine months pregnant.

This is an old post from my family blog.


Sinterklaas Eve also happened to be my birthday. So, we celebrated it all. We had dinner in the formal dining room, which is always special and fun.




Wayne and the kids made me a cake.



The kids decorated it. They were sure to put lots of sprinkles on top!



Having your picture taken when you are nine months pregnant is never flattering, but it is what it is!


I love my family! Thanks for the great birthday!


Time for Sinterklaas stories... the stories my dad was told when he was a child, by his father.


The kids love Opa, and love the stories. My dad had a heart attack Feb 26, 2010. I am so glad he made it, and is here to celebrate another holiday with us! Love you Dad!


The kids LOVE trying the shoes on every year!



Look what Sinterklaas brought!

Conrad:


Sophie


Risa


Wayne



He also left white bread and sprinkles, a traditional Dutch breakfast, eaten with butter on the bread, and then sprinkles on top of that.


Look HOW EXCITED they were to find their shoes! I think they are both jumping!






Sinterklaas left a Sinterklaas nutcracker...


...and a Sinterklaas ornament!


Time for breakfast!






They even got to take it for lunch that day!