Dear Nicole, I have only been following your blog for the last couple of weeks. Being a mum with one child still attending higher education on a Steiner school (and another child on a different school), and a Camphill history and a sister who is a eurythmist I know and value all these festivals. Being from The Netherlands I would like to tell you a little bit more about the way we celebrateSint Nicholaas.
Sint Nicholaas usually arrives some three weeks before the 5th of December, he comes from Spain by steamship. Travelling with him are his helpers, known as Zwarte Pieten, and ofcourse his white horse. In the nighttime he goes from rooftop to roof top accompanied by his helpers. Children put their shoes near the heater or hearh and sing numerous songs. Then in the morning the children will find some presents; "pepernoten", an orange, some crayons or what have you. Needless to say that this is what children attending Steiner shools get. Other people may give their children bigger things or just very different things.
Now on the 5th of December, Sint Nicholaas brings a big bag full of goodies. Zwarte Piet bangs on the window, rings the bell and when the door is answered "pepernoten" will be thrown in the room. We then have "pakjesavond".
When the time comes children do no longer believe this, we will change the plan and buy a present and make a long rhyme and wrap the present just a bit more up. Like you would make perhaps a big computer for someone into computers.
These days Sinterklaas hardly ever is made into a boogeyman, threatening to take you with him to Spain if you are naughty. Parents use to that, or you would get salt instead of a present.
Lately there has been some talk about the unfairness of having Black Peters, this is ofcourse due to our time when people thought it was alright to have slaves.
If you have look at my blog, the 5th of december, you will find a picture of my father, sister and mother. The picture was taken in 1958, you will see my father dressed as Sinterklaas. My father has been Sinterklaas for numberous years. Unfortunately he has been taken into care as he suffers from Alzheimer's. The picture is very dear to me.
There are some lovely books i.e. from Marianne van Zeyl ( like your postcard) or Freddie Langeler : Sinterklaas Kapoentje. We also have a lot of songs; Zie ginds komt de stoomboot, or : Zie de maan schijnt door de bomen. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas
Have a nice Christmas.