{"id":41271,"date":"2022-12-05T14:26:32","date_gmt":"2022-12-05T13:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/?p=41271"},"modified":"2022-12-05T14:26:35","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T13:26:35","slug":"miklavz-saint-nicolas-slovenia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/en\/lifestyle\/expats-in-slovenia\/miklavz-saint-nicolas-slovenia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Column with Simone B. Michielen: Miklav\u017e or Saint Nicolas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Somehow it is hard to avoid sentimental thoughts about holidays during these days. One of the funniest one for me is Saint Nicolas. For a very long time I thought it was a very Dutch custom, but then we moved to Slovenia. One of the first celebration we attended in our village, after the Pre\u0161eren poetry evening on the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> of December (funny fact, we only understood the word \u201cdober\u201d back then), was this one. Of course we didn\u2019t know what to expect, but were surprised and we really appreciated the mulled wine to cope with this man in white that looked so much like his brother that we knew from the Netherlands.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41408 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-265x198.jpg 265w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/240;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1132-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Similar, but very different.<\/strong><\/h2><p>While in Slovenia Miklavz arrives, gives presents and leaves again, are the festivities in the Netherlands spread over several weeks. \u201cOur guy\u201d comes from Spain, wears red, travels by boat and arrives almost always around my birthday. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"228\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41418 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070-100x70.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/228;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1070-100x70.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><p>That might sound good, but in my youth it meant that I shouldn\u2019t ask too much, as I already had presents for my birthday. Adults give each other also hidden presents, with a poem that puts all your bad habits in the spotlights, written by another guest. It is that time of the year where you can be just as rude as you want. Yeah.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41406 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-265x198.jpg 265w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/240;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1899-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Food<\/strong><\/h2><p>The good part is all the food that is involved, especially cookies and candy. Sinterklaas, as he is called in Dutch, comes with marzipan, sugar goods, chocolate letters and \u201cpepernoten\u201d, which are small ginger cookies. Throwing around the last ones is one of the highlights and it seems the only time of the year where eating from the floor is encouraged.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41407 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-265x198.jpg 265w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/240;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1909-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><p>Culinary wise it is also interesting. While cooking something special is more and more common, on the 5<sup>th<\/sup> of December the Dutch have a weird tradition. Cooking food at the dinner table on a gourmet set. Although I have to say this culinary highlight (so not!) is served on many occasions.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41414\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41414 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/320;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41414\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_1064-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41415\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41415 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/320;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41415\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0484-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41416\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41416 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/320;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"41416\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-rotated.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_5183-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41417\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41417 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 750px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 750\/750;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41417\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2601-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41419\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41419 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 750px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 750\/750;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41419\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2600-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41420\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41420 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-100x100.jpg 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 750px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 750\/750;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"41420\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598.jpg 750w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_2598-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/figure><p>About the sweets. As you know the Dutch travelled around the world to collect spices. Some say they bought them, others that they stole them. Let\u2019s say there are still some very rich families in the Netherlands who found their fortune in exotic locations\u2026<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" data-src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41405 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-265x198.jpg 265w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/240;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439.jpg 320w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0439-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><p>The good part is that almost everything sweet served around the beginning of December is spiced with them. We bake \u201cSpeculaas\u201d filled with marzipan, there is always a letter involved, either made out of chocolate, cheese, puffed pastry filled with an almond mixture or meringue. And although this Saint was a protector of children and his day especially for them, the party is a bit hijacked by adults in the Netherlands. And unfortunately not only because we like the candy and the presents too.<\/p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Somehow it is hard to avoid sentimental thoughts about holidays during these days. One of the funniest one for me is Saint Nicolas. For a very long time I thought it was a very Dutch custom, but then we moved to Slovenia. One of the first celebration we attended in our village, after the Pre\u0161eren [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":37877,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2208,151,2077],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-41271","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-expats-in-slovenia","8":"category-lifestyle","9":"category-living-in-slovenia"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Column with Simone B. 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