Here in Flanders and to the north in the Netherlands we actually get told this story. Sinterklaas, who visits on the eve of the 5th (NL) or during the night (BE) is our OG Santa Claus.

For kids Sinterklaas is the main event, whereas Christmas is when you get given… socks. Last few years the focus seems to have shifted more to Christmas though.

Glad we got rid of ‘Zwartepiet’ though (Sinterklaas’s helpers). Think ‘elves’ except human-size, not-elf and with blackface.

I grew up attending international schools. Seeing my Dutch classmate dressed as zwartepiet getting called to the principal’s office is a core memory.