Sinterklaas in September

Sinterklaas is one of the big festive holidays here in Belgium. On the 6th of December, just a couple of weeks before Christmas, he brings presents to the children. He’s a mythical figure. He lives in Spain, and every year in November he sails in with his big ship and arrives in the harbor of Antwerp. His entrance is broadcast on television, and it’s a whole production. Children make lists, they draw pictures, they write letters, they go visit him. The anticipation builds for weeks, and by the time December arrives, the excitement is everywhere.

So imagine me last week, the second week of September, walking into the grocery store with my kids. At the tills, there it was already: a full shelf of Sinterklaas chocolate and fruit. My first reaction was, Really? Already? And of course my kids lit up. “Sinterklaas! Sinterklaas!”

And I had to explain to them that it’s still a long time away. For us adults, three months flies by. But for a five-year-old who still fully believes? That’s endless waiting.

And yes, it’s part of the magic. They look forward to it so much. They make toy lists, mail them off, prepare drawings. We watch the arrival of the ship on TV, and the whole experience becomes part of the memory of childhood. That part I love.

But standing there in September, I was annoyed. Are we really already gearing up for this holiday? Could we not at least wait until October, maybe November? Halloween hasn’t even happened yet. And okay, Halloween isn’t such a big thing here ... but still. Is that where we are at? Rushing straight into the next holiday before the last one has even settled?

And then, of course, what did I do? I bought a bag of chocolates.

Because my daughter wanted one. If it adds to her excitement, what’s the harm?

The truth is, there’s obviously a demand for it. Shops wouldn’t put Sinterklaas candy out in September if nobody was buying it. And if people want it, if it makes kids happy, is it really that bad? Maybe not.

Yes, it feels commercial. Yes, part of me rolls my eyes at how early it all starts. But another part of me gets it. After the summer holidays end and the school routine sets back in, people need something to look forward to. And since Halloween isn’t really “our” holiday, Sinterklaas is the first big festive moment that’s coming.

So maybe that’s why I can’t stay too annoyed about it. If it feeds into the dreams of children, if it builds the anticipation and becomes part of the season, then maybe it’s fine.

But I do think there need to be boundaries. Because that’s how we keep holidays special. If everything starts earlier and earlier, one day it will all blur together. And then what’s left? If Sinterklaas already shows up in September, what happens when Christmas sneaks in before Sinterklaas? When Valentine’s Day hearts start glowing red before we’ve even taken down the Christmas tree? When the Easter Bunny hops in before New Year’s Eve?

At some point, it stops being magical and just becomes noise. A carousel of chocolate shapes: from Sinterklaas to Santa to hearts to bunnies. Spinning endlessly, one after another. And the joy drains out of it, because it’s no longer a moment to anticipate. It’s just the next item in line. Each holiday deserves its season, its space to shine.

As long as we leave a little bit of breathing room in between holidays? Then I can live with Sinterklaas in September.

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