For the one reader not from Dutch origin; in the Netherlands and Belgium, we have a traditional holiday called Sinterklaas (or Saint Nicholas in English). The original of what the Americans know as Santa Claus, Sinterklaas is the occasion for gift-giving, when his alleged birthday on December 5 is celebrated. In this case however, roles are reversed, in that Sinterklaas (coming from Spain, by boat) is the one who gives the presents.
He carries a big book, containing every children's name and whether they've been good or bad over the past year. There are certain other things which come with this tradition, like certain sweets.
So much for the tradition, let's move on to the commercial side of things.
Normally, Sinterklaas arrives mid-November, along with his aides. Logic dictates that aforementioned sweets can be purchased around that time as well, no?
Nope.
This is what I spotted when I was doing some shopping for my grandfather. What you see here are what we call "kruidnoten"; small biscuits with a special flavour and a traditional treat for this holiday. Quite tasty, but not something most people enjoy for three months until Klaas hops on his boat back to Spain again
No matter how much I enjoy these things, the tradition loses some of its meaning this way, which is kind of sad, if you ask me.
Cheers, K.