In the Netherlands St. Nicholas is known as Sinterklaas. On December 5 th families stay up and sing songs until they hear a knock at the door. When they open the door there is a bag full of lollies and gifts. Christmas is also celebrated on the 25 th and 26 th of December.
Families have dinner and go to church afterwards.
Christmas day is spent both at home and at church and the day after Christmas is spent with family members. Sinterklaas wears a red bishop s hat, a red bishop s cloak and has white hair and a white beard. Composed carols gained variety in form in the 17 th century, while their texts began to centre on Christmas. After a decline, the composed carol was revived about 1880 by religious reformers promoting devotional hymn singing. In the Netherlands the Christmas tree is called the paradise tree.