Sinterklaas Sinterklaas Sinterklaas () or "Sint-Nicolaas" () is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other names for the figure include "De Sint" ("The Saint"), "De Goede Sint" ("The Good Saint"), and "De Goedheiligman" ("The Good Holy Man") in Dutch; "Saint Nicolas" in French; "Sinteklaas" in West Frisian; "Sinterklaos" in Limburgs; "Saint-Nikloi" in West Flemish; and "Kleeschen" and "Zinniklos" in Luxembourgish. The feast of "Sinterklaas" celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the
Saint Catherine's Day egg, sugar, lard or butter, and Caraway seeds. The custom of lighting a revolving pyrotechnic display (a 'Catherine Wheel firework') to celebrate the saint's feast day is assisted by the ready supply of such fireworks during the month of November, due to the secular celebration of Guy Fawkes Night earlier in the month. St. Catherine's taffy is a candy made by French Canadian girls to honor St. Catherine, the patron saint of unmarried women on her feast day. St. Catherine's Day is sometimes known in among French-Canadians as "taffy day," a day when marriage-age girls would make taffy for eligible