I agree The shops can't put stuff with black pete in the store anymore. Had a list with items monday that I have to throw away because of black pete :( It is sad that an old tradition has to go through this

That is true. But I feel that a bit of local folklore is doing because of the “American” Christmas. Wish we could be a little more happy, and proud, of our own Sinterklaas. Santa Claus is after all based on him. :)

What?! But that is ridiculous... It is part of the story around Piet!

Oh really hate that, throwing things away because of the black piet. We need to fight for our black piet,

Sinterklaas is more for the kids and xmas more for adults. That is why there is more of xmas i think. We have with all the colleagues Surprise evening, here in my house. We do it between Sinterklaas and xmas. We always have fun making the surprises

sounds like fun !

how is everybody doing?

I know it's sad, but companies don't want negativ reclame because of having it in the store with all the discuscion. We now have reclames with our own "Test Pete" , she tests toys. She is not colorred but her own skintone But what they did great is this... [IMG]https://www.mupload.nl/img/ncacwvpd2tndx.jpg[/IMG]

It is fun, we do this already a few years.

Testpiet is a smart move.

That is true. But I always found Sinterklaas to be part of our folklore, and it is only one day, so worth celebrating. :) Sounds cool that Surprise evening! Is that with presents for everyone, or what do you do?

Hey sweety, doing ok here. And how are you?

So Test Pete is Asian? That does not make sense at all... Piet is black because he comes through the chimney. Studio 100, which also broadcasts in Holland I think, is now showing colored Pieten (yellow, green,...) and “roetveeg” Pieten. The colored ones are ridicoulous. The “roetveeg” Piet is ok and makes sense. You can see that Piet is white but with a lot of black stripes and smudges on his face, from coming through the chimney.

We get a ticket with a name. And for that person you buy gifts for 15 euro. And you make a surprise {don't know if you do that at school when the kids are older and don't believe in sinterklaas anymore} and at the evening we gave that person the surprise {mostly something to do with hobby, sport or something they do much, } and they can look for their presents in the surprise. And we are with 20 people this evening {so a lot of people are taking part of it} and we have a great evening, We make things to eat {i usely make gevulde speculaas and cake} and we have all kinds of things to eat from different culture's. Really great.

And indeed de Roetveeg piet is okay. But colored piet really are strange

Hahahaha, i crochet a Elephant , It looks really funny. Everytime i look at it i have to laugh

It's a special kind of Elephant :P. I love him/her :)

Yes testpiet is an Asian girl. I think roetveeg piet is the best they can do now. But I also don't have a problem with this. It shows everybody can be a Piet.

It's a funny looking elephant

Indeed i also love him/her

Thanks the eyes make it funny

Sounds very amusing! I am sure you will have a great time. :) Oh, that elephant looks so funny! You made it yourself?

Also true. I just hope Asian people now wont be offended....

Woohoow! Fireside started. :)

Thanks for the pepernoten!

Yes my first try to make a plushie hahaha, Really think he looks funny. And ofcourse now i saw everywhere elephants.

You are welcome, since sinterklaas is here i thought it would be nice

Did you have a pattern or did you just make it from your head?

Indeed for Sinterklaas! Do you have something planned for Sinterklaas?

From a pattern, I got this book last christmas to make plushies. And my friends daughter said she wanted to Elephant, so i thought i will make it for her. But he/she looks so funny but the pattern wasn't easy to read. Next time better

Hope so to, For now I know most people who are complaining are "normal" Dutch people. That why we don't have the real zwarte Piet, that people must boycot us about that and how an Asian girl can be zwarte Piet. It's so stupid that people are saying that kind of stuff

But I guess the elephant is a difficult pattern in comparison to some other animal? Maybe a bear or a duck is easier to start?

They didn't explain it well in the book. So i hope with another pattern i can make another one

It is too bad that everytime it is Sinterklaas there are people complaining. And they ruin it for everyone who wants to have a good time.

Practice makes perfect! I am sure next time it will be better. :)