Tracing the trail of St. Nick takes us to the Netherlands

Santa Claus is a direct derivation from Sinterklaas of the Netherlands. Well, sort of.

According to the Expatica online news and information portal, “the traditional image of Sinterklaas is one of a bishop, clothed in a white garment and wrapped in a red cloak. He wears a tall red and gold hop’smiter (head dress) that covers his long white curly hair.”

“He usually wears white gloves. In one hand, he carries a long metal staff and in the other, a book of names (also known as the ‘naughty or nice’ list).”

 

“Like the North American concept of Santa Claus, Sinterklass has a long white beard; however, unlike his North American cousin, he’s austere and elegant rather than fat and jolly.” 

Other sources said that while Santa Claus is extremely punctual and knows and remembers every child, the elder Sinterklass is a bit senile. 

Mounted on a white steed, Sinterklaas arrives in the saddle, not in a sleigh hitched to eight reindeer. 

In their homes, the Dutch children leave tasty carrots in their wooden shoes that have been placed next to the radiator. These treats are for the horse not for Sinterklaas. 

Expatica reported that the real Nicholas Sinterklaas was born in the 4th century in Myra, Asia Minor (on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in what is now Turkey), and there he became a bishop who loved children. 

“When the early Dutch settlers came to America, they dedicated their first church on the island of Manhattan, in 1642, to Sinterklaas.” 

“When the British took control of New Amsterdam in 1664, and changed the name of the place to New York, they merged Sinterklaas with their ‘Father Christmas’ – the merry, roly-poly, Falstaffian figure in high boots,” Expatica said. 

Sinterklass is a bachelor, whereas Santa is happily married to…what’s-her-name?

 

The identity of Mrs. Santa is a mystery – even to the researchers at Wikipedia. 

Clues from literature, film and television offer subtle “hints or clues.” Some of the Mrs. Claus names dropped over time have been Amelia, Anna, Annette, Carol, Gertrude, Jessica, Nancy, Nellie and Ruth.

None of those are clicking for me, but only Santa knows!