Rina Mae Acosta | Author
It’s that time of the year again in Holland when children start anticipating the arrival of a man dressed in red and white carrying presents in a sack. This beloved character is known by many names: Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle and Sinterklaas. Depending on where you are in the world, he either arrives on December 5th (the traditional feast day of old St. Nick), December 24th (Christmas Eve), or the following morning.
Due to my fear of missing out and not wanting to be a cultural chauvinist, my Dutch American children celebrate both. Seven years into this predicament of gift-giving overdrive, I’ve become a lot more astute and stricter about what I allow into our house.
In the process, I’ve become a self-appointed purveyor of all things on trend in the toy sphere. After all, like most middle class parents, I’m constantly on the lookout for new toys that my children would be excited to receive on Pakjesavond (evening of gifts), or Christmas morning.
Rina Mae Acosta | Author