Matrix
29-11-2006, 01:51
For the non-Dutch people: Sinterklaas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas), or Saint Nicholas is similar to Santa Claus, but then the Dutch and Belgian (and partly German and Austrian) version. Wikipedia describes perfectly how adults celebrate Sinterklaas:
quote:After kids stop believing, families often continue to celebrate the holiday. Also secondary school classes and colleagues at work sometimes celebrate it together. (...) The people just pretend that they are real, although there are no believing children among them.
The poem and the wrapping, called 'surprise', usually become more important than the gift itself. There may be instructions about where the gift is hidden, the parcel may act strangely when handled, there may be several layers of wrapping, with syrup smeared in between and ultimately there may be no gift in the parcel at all. The possibilities are endless and preparations may start weeks (or months) in advance. But not to worry, there are always real gifts. (...) The poems may also be more like small pieces of art, often ridiculing things the receiver did in the past year. Since the poem is signed by 'Sinterklaas', the poems can be pleasantly sharp and things can be said which one would not usually say directly, even though it is usually clear who wrote the poem. The quality of such poetry varies strongly, from crooked rhymes to reasonably well written poems of several pages.
We always draw lots for who makes a surprise for whom. I drew my uncle...once again! [xx(] So I'm kinda hoping you might give me some inspiration.
He is a tax consultant (he studies tax law), 57 years old, has got quite some knowledge about whiskey's, loves Olivier Bommel and plays tennis. (A real VVD-type. ;)) I don't believe he ever got a surprise about him playing tennis (and being in the board of their tennis club), so that might be an idea. Perhaps it could be about their holiday in Rome. [dunno]
I was thinking about giving him some weird funny statutes for the tennis club with a clue in it on where to find his present, but that's not exactly my quality. My specialty is knocking something together (knutselen) with cardboard and stuff.
quote:After kids stop believing, families often continue to celebrate the holiday. Also secondary school classes and colleagues at work sometimes celebrate it together. (...) The people just pretend that they are real, although there are no believing children among them.
The poem and the wrapping, called 'surprise', usually become more important than the gift itself. There may be instructions about where the gift is hidden, the parcel may act strangely when handled, there may be several layers of wrapping, with syrup smeared in between and ultimately there may be no gift in the parcel at all. The possibilities are endless and preparations may start weeks (or months) in advance. But not to worry, there are always real gifts. (...) The poems may also be more like small pieces of art, often ridiculing things the receiver did in the past year. Since the poem is signed by 'Sinterklaas', the poems can be pleasantly sharp and things can be said which one would not usually say directly, even though it is usually clear who wrote the poem. The quality of such poetry varies strongly, from crooked rhymes to reasonably well written poems of several pages.
We always draw lots for who makes a surprise for whom. I drew my uncle...once again! [xx(] So I'm kinda hoping you might give me some inspiration.
He is a tax consultant (he studies tax law), 57 years old, has got quite some knowledge about whiskey's, loves Olivier Bommel and plays tennis. (A real VVD-type. ;)) I don't believe he ever got a surprise about him playing tennis (and being in the board of their tennis club), so that might be an idea. Perhaps it could be about their holiday in Rome. [dunno]
I was thinking about giving him some weird funny statutes for the tennis club with a clue in it on where to find his present, but that's not exactly my quality. My specialty is knocking something together (knutselen) with cardboard and stuff.