On St. Nicholas Eve a meal is shared and for dessert there might be a letterbanket, or a letter cake. This is a cake made in the shape of the first letter of the family's last name. In some instances everyone might receive a small personal cake in the shape of their first initial. Gifts are also shared on St. Nicholas Eve. Gifts are meant to be surprises, the giver not necessarily known. They are signed Sinterklaas (Santa) and are accompanied by a poem or verse that the giver has written. Gifts might also be hidden around the house with clues about their locations, or hidden within another object. The whole idea is mystery and surprise. That night children leave out shoes filled with hay and carrots for Sinterklaas' horse, and hope that they will have toys in their shoes in the morning.
On December 26th the Dutch celebrate Second Christmas Day, which is spent eating out at a restaurant and maybe seeing a Christmas musical or concert. Some children leave out stockings on Christmas Eve, but most only receive gifts on St. Nicholas Eve.
The reason for the recent upset over Holland's Christmas traditions is Zwarte Piet himself, as his name translates to Black Pete. Many are outraged over what they perceive as blatant racism dating back to Holland's days as participants in the slave trade. Piet was originally portrayed as a jester for the amusement of children, and today is still cartoonish with a black painted face, an afro and bright red lipstick. Attempts have been made to change the tradition, even changing the color of Pete's face from black to another color such as green or rainbow colored. But overall, the Dutch have stuck to their old ways.
