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Breakfast with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale House Museum

12/5/19 Update: This event is sold out. To be placed on the wait list, call 301-864-0420.

Enjoyed a lovely, festive time at Breakfast with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale Park, Maryland this past December weekend.

Riversdale House Museum

An adorable visit with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale House Musuem; 📸 by Ethan Kane.

Toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school-aged children (as well as their adoring family members, of course!), filled the room in anticipation of Belgian Waffles, bacon and, of course, a visit from Sint Niklaas!

Scenes from Breakfast with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale House Museum

Peek inside room awaiting Sint Niklaas

A peek inside the bustling room; about 6 tables of 6, methinks.

Little did we know that we’d also be treated to a story about why we hang stockings by the fireplace every Christmas as well as lovely greetings from a team of distinguished speakers, including Mrs. Katrin Wouters (L), wife of the Belgian Ambassador!

Embassy of Belgium Facebook Page

📸 source: Embassy of Belgium Facebook Page

Activities at Breakfast with Sint Niklaas 

 As we arrived, each child was given a pack of crayons and an activity sheet to keep them happy while they patiently awaited for the arrival of Sint Niklaas. This coloring sheet relayed the story of Sint Niklaas (which was really helpful for a certain parent who got distracted after her child spilled hot chocolate over the table; read: me. 😑)
Sint Niklaas

Keeping little hands busy with some coloring!

Story Behind Christmas Stockings

In case you don’t know the story behind the Christmas stockings tradition, sharing an excerpt from the activity sheet:

“One day, [Niklaas, a priest] heard about a man who had become very poor – so poor that he could not pay for a wedding for his daughters. One night, the daughters washed their stockings and put them in front of the fire to dry. In the morning, there was gold in their stockings! Niklaas had secretly thrown it through the window during the night…Today, many children still hang their stockings in hopes Sint Niklaas will fill them with gifts.”

Mmm, Breakfast with Sint Niklaas!

About twenty minutes into the program, a breakfast of one Belgian waffles, a slice or two of bacon, an orange and a speculaas (spiced shortcake cookie) arrived on paper places were served for all to enjoy.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for: Sint Niklaas arrives and announces himself from the balcony, building anticipation as we eagerly await his presence downstairs!

Well, hello there, Saint Nick!

After he made his way down the stairs, Sint Niklaas (known on the streets 😉 as Saint Nick) entered the room to greet all of us, saying Merry Christmas in Spanish, French, Italian and perhaps Octonaut-ish.

Making sure she gets Saint Nick’s attention! My girl!

A Visit with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale House Museum

Saint Nick then made his way to another room in Riversdale House, where all the children would get a chance to let him know what’s on their Christmas wish list! One by one, tables full of children emptied and made their way to see Saint Nick.

Hurry, hurry to see Saint Nick!

Once in the room, Saint Nick read through his book to check names and make sure the child before him was on the “nice” (and not “naughty”) list. 😊 The kiddos then seized the opportunity to download all the mental notes they’ve been collecting of prized toys from the Target catalog. After the visit, they each received a goody bag filled with a set of marbles (toy from days of yore), chocolate coins and a peppermint candy cane.

And I’d like this and this and this and this….

Since they were so well-behaved, I foolishly thought the kids would oblige for a nice photo of them all. No. Such. Luck. 😂
Hope you enjoyed this peek inside Breakfast with Sint Niklaas at Riverdale House Museum. For more great ideas on family & kid-friendly way to celebrate the holiday season along Route 1, Maryland & Washington, D.C., check out Route One Fun’s 2018 Holiday Events Guide!
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