That time of the year already?

Saint Nicolas/ Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 6 but as the holy man arrived by boat in Antwerp yesterday and as the shop windows display the chocolate version, here he is in plenty of time for everyone to get ready.

"Sinterklaas is an old, good-natured bearded man dressed in a bishop's uniform. He lives in Spain most of the year, but traditionally arrives in the Lower Countries by steam boat....He is accompanied by several black helpers who are all called "Black Pete" ("Zwarte Piet").And then, on Sinterklaas Eve (December 5), children traditionally put their shoes next to the chimney and sing carols. That night, Sinterklaas climbs through every chimney and puts presents next to or in the children's shoes.

In morerecent politically correct times, "Black Pete" has caused a lot of confusion and controversy with foreign tourists unfamiliar with the tradition. Nobody in Belgium or the Netherlands would ever see Zwarte Piet as an African stereotype, but nowadays his dark skin is sometimes explained to children as being a result of the chimney dirt. Thus Zwarte Piet isn't an actual black man, just a person who should wash more often. His threatening image has been downplayed as well. He is no longer a Scary Black Man who wants to punish kids, but a jolly, playful manchild who provides comic relief to the audience".
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Sinterklaas