European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Christmas ideas i Holland Ganal skating rivals arrival of St. Nicholas  " "., for dutch excitement by Judy Hammond Scripps Howard news service a big Holiday wish in Holland is that it will Snow and the canals will freeze for skating. A snowfall brightens the dark Days of Winter and so do the festivities and traditions of the Holiday season that run from the arrival of St. Nicholas in november into the new year. All Over the country everyone Waits for the canals to freeze says John Decanha of Toronto recalling his years in Amsterdam As manager of the Apollo hotel. There is a tremendous Celebration when the canals freeze. Vendors come out to sell dutch pea soup and hot chocolate to the  Holiday festivities Start Early in Holland with the arrival in mid november of St. Nicholas the Patron Saint of Amsterdam the dutch Cal him sinter Klaas but when the Netherlands protestant settled in new Amsterdam new York his name gradually changed to Santa Claus and his Bishops Robe was transformed to a red fur trimmed suit to match the logo of a major soft drink company.   Of. This Earst Nicholas officially arrived on nov. 12 at Ndon in the fishing Village of Monnickendam just North of Amsterdam. Wearing a Long red Robe and Mitre and carrying a Bishop s Golden Crook the Saint is accompanied by a band of moorish characters called Swarte pets Black Peter who toss spicy Ginger cookies called Peper Noten to the children Black p Eter is often seen As a Devil who served As St. Nicholas assistant and is depicted wearing Spanish. Attire. The Spanish who occupied Holland in the 16th Century were hated and feared. For St Nicholas to conquer a Spanish Devil arid make him a servant was considered to be a great joke. The feast of St. Nicholas on dec. 5-6 is the main Celebration in Holland not Christmas. On the eve of the a  " Netherlands Boardo Tourt a a number of festivities Are planned for i re holidays in the Netherlands including open air markets. Saint s Day dec. 5, gifts Are Given. In the week before the Saint s Day children leave a shoe in front of the fire before going . Carrots potatoes or Oats Are placed in the shoe for the Bishop s horse. In the morning children who have been Good find their shoe filled with sweetmeats while the haughty ones find a Birch rod.".,-" ,".,/ .-.". Youngsters All Over Holland await St. Nic Das eve when the Saint travels through the towns on his White horse while Black Peter runs alongside carrying a Ledger with names of those who have been Good and bad and a Sacko toys. -. after a special St. Nicholas eve dinner families Exchange gifts. It is. Customary to camouflage the gift with the recipient following directions to find it. The gift is accompanied by an Anonymous poem which is often teasing in nature " ,.,.,the traditional dutch festival of St Nicholas continues into the Christmas holidays following Anglo american customs. The dutch people decorate their Homes Early in december said Cecile Savelkoul of san Francisco a native of Holland. A dutch couple take their baby for a ride on a Frozen Pond near utrecht skating is a favorite wintertime sport. On Christmas eve the tree is lighted and on Christmas Day a dinner of Chicken Turkey or Rabbit is served Savelkoul said. Dessert is often a flaming pudding or a Bright red cold one. The Day after called the second Day of Christmas the family Calls on friends and family and attends concerts. Small gifts Are Given mostly to the children. From dec. 10 to dec. 23, the Beur spleen will be transformed into the traditional Amsterdam Christmas Village with More than 60 stalls Selling gifts drinks and snacks. The crusty hot sausage sandwiches called sauce Brood Are sold at bakeries. With hot Coffee or chocolate they Are just the thing for a cold Winter Day another Holiday favorite is the tasty Almond cake called Amandel spies other Holiday favourites Are Large chocolate letters in the family name and puff pastries filled with Almond paste shaped in the family initials. At Christmas the City s museums present special exhibits and decorate for the holidays. Performances at the Muzie theater Home of the dutch National Ballet and the Netherlands opera Are in full swing during this season a Winter in Amsterdam when the elms Are Bare is a Good time to View the the facades of the 16th and 17th Century merchant houses that line the canals. Icy branches form a Lacy network overhead and a snowfall turns the streets into a Winter wonderland. The Brown cafes named for the dark interiors acquired after centuries of tobacco smoke Are cozy places to sit on a Winter evening when darkness comes Early.,/. ,." -. \ a Small Public House called de drive Flesch jes the three bottles has changed very Little since 1650. Traditional old dutch liqueurs sure to Ward off a chill Are prepared from secret recipes used for centuries. Patrons will be offered a free drink during the holidays. The pub is located in the picturesque crave Straat behind the Nieuwkerk new Church on the dam. Christmas festivities also will take place in the Hague where Het Plein becomes a huge Christmas Market with a lighted tree and music from dec. 8-23. In the Lovely old town of Coda a tree and hundreds of candles will be lit in the Market Square on dec. 13. A concert will be presented in St. Jans Kerk Church. For More information Contact your local Netherlands Board of tourism or write the office in the states at 225 n. Michigan ave., suite 326, Chicago iii., 60601 or Call 312 819-0300. Or Kim airlines 800 777-5553.judy Hammond Watt bowl or Al at the pm at Montt Rwy. Cam november 17f 1994 stripes Magazine