How to Write a Sinterklaas Poem
On 5 December, Dutch families swap small presents, and every present comes with a poem. Writing one is easier than it looks, even if Dutch isn't your first language. Here are five steps, a few rhymes and three examples. Want help while you write? In De reis van Sinterklaas (Dutch) the rhyme helper suggests words as you type, and you can turn your poem into a free card.
How to write a Sinterklaas poem in 5 steps
- Note three things about the person. A hobby, a funny habit and something they wish for.
- Pick a rhyme pattern. Two lines that rhyme, then the next two (aabb), is easiest. Or rhyme only lines 2 and 4 (abab).
- Keep lines about the same length. Read them out loud and smooth out any bumps.
- Tease a little, kindly. Sinterklaas may poke fun at a habit, never at something that hurts.
- End with a hint. The last lines almost give away the present. Sign it “Sint en Piet”.
Eight to sixteen lines is plenty: about a minute to read aloud.
A few Dutch rhymes to start with
- Sint: kind, vindt, wint, lint
- Piet: niet, ziet, lied
- schoen: doen, zoen, groen
- paard: haard, bewaard
- nacht: zacht, lacht, bracht
An example
Papa, elke ochtend weer
zoek je je sleutels, keer op keer.
Sint keek ernaar vanaf het dak
en bracht een haakje, voor het gemak.
Dad, every morning, again and again, you hunt for your keys. Sint watched from the roof and brought a little hook, to make life easy.
Write it together, then send it
Teachers can open a room in De reis van Sinterklaas and let the class write one poem on the big screen, with first names only. Afterwards, turn any poem into a free digital card, or put it on a T-shirt or poster in the AI Creative Studio. Plan the presents in the Wow Calendar.
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