Sinterklaas does not visit only families; the saint is also present at the Dutch workplace. According to research by bol.com, the Sinterklaas tradition in the Netherlands and Flanders is celebrated by almost half of the working Dutch force (45%) at work. In Belgium, Sinterklaas is even more popular at the workplace, where 60% of companies pay attention to the celebration.
Employers enjoy taking part in celebrating Sinterklaas where employees receive a present in two-thirds of Dutch companies that celebrate Sinterklaas. Most of the companies do not focus specifically on the employee’s children, but on the workers themselves. Many employers will therefore look for a nice gift for their employees. But employers also take into consideration the little ones: they spend mostly up to 10 Euros per employee. Only 6% of employers give a present worth more than 20 Euros. What also stands out in Dutch companies is that companies with younger workers (<34 years) are more likely to celebrate Sinterklaas than companies with older workers (55+ years).
Whether you are a fan or not of this big children's friend, you can agree that almost everybody likes finding something delicious or nice at the desk. A chocolate in letters, butter bar, the“surprise”- elaborately wrapped up and disguised present, or a small poem to thank everyone for their efforts. So even if your company does not celebrate this Holliday, you may organize a small celebration within your department.
You can agree on a certain amount with the department and buy a gift for that amount. You can connect a theme, for example to find as many gifts as possible, or to be as kitschy as possible, or ... You can distribute the presents by playing a dice game. Make sure that you are well prepared for a Sinterklaas celebration, which is only fun when the activities are original and entertaining.FijneSiterklaasviering!
Sonja Vos Ralevska
Sources:
https://pers.bol.com
http://www.mariekabaars.nl