Turn Sinterklaas Evening Into a Musical Event With This Game

It's December fifth and the excitement is palpable. In the Netherlands, this evening marks Sinterklaas, one of the most beloved family traditions. Shoes are placed by the fireplace, traditional cookies are ready, and somewhere in the house lies a mountain of carefully wrapped gifts waiting to be opened.

But let's be honest: sometimes Sinterklaas evening can feel endless. Especially with a large group, waiting for your turn to unwrap a gift can take forever. This year we're doing things differently. We're adding music to the tradition and creating an evening that's not just cozy, but also active and entertaining for everyone.

The Concept

Imagine: instead of simply waiting for the next person to unwrap their gift, you play short rounds of a music game in between. Whoever wins gets to choose the next gift. It keeps everyone sharp, adds a competitive element, and fills the moments that would otherwise be filled with awkward waiting.

The beauty is that you can adapt this to your own family. Love traditional songs? Make it a round. Does everyone have broad musical taste? Mix classics with modern hits. It's all about having fun together.

The Preparation

The key to success is preparation. A few days before the evening, you compile a playlist that fits your group. Think about the ages at the table. Are there grandparents who mainly know old classics? Teenagers who only listen to the latest hits? Try to create a mix that offers recognizable moments for everyone.

Also consider themed rounds. Start the evening with a round of traditional holiday songs, perfect for getting in the mood. Then you can move on to general hits from different decades.

Make sure your tech is in order. A Bluetooth speaker that works well, a phone or tablet with your playlist ready. Test it beforehand so you don't run into problems in the middle of the evening.

The Game Rules

Keep it simple, especially with a mixed group. Play the first five to ten seconds of a song. Whoever guesses the song correctly first wins the round. The winner gets to choose which gift is unwrapped next, or gets to unwrap the next gift themselves.

A variation that works well with families: make teams. The kids versus the adults, or mix the generations together. Points are kept track of, and the team with the most points at the end of the evening wins a special prize.

Don't forget that it's about fun, not performance. Encourage silly answers, laugh at wrong guesses, and definitely sing along when someone recognizes the song.

For the Little Ones

Have young children at the table? Adapt the game. Instead of guessing, you can play a variant where children have to dance or sing along. Play a song, and as soon as it stops everyone must freeze. Whoever still moves is out. It keeps the energy high and gives the little ones an active role.

Or let children guess songs by giving hints. Hum a melody and let them guess. It's less competitive but just as fun.

Creating the Complete Atmosphere

Music alone doesn't make a perfect evening. Think about the total experience. Dim the lights, light candles. The smell of clementines and spice cookies, hot chocolate within reach.

Between game rounds there's room for traditional elements. Reading poems, unwrapping surprise gifts, sharing stories. The music is an addition, not a replacement for the traditions that make this evening so special.

After the Evening

The best compliment you can receive is when family still talks about the evening the next day. Not just about the gifts, but about that hilarious moment when grandma was the only one who knew that modern song, or when the kids beat the whole family in the traditional songs round.

Music has the power to strengthen memories. Years later, someone will hear a song and think back to that one evening when you first played the music game.

Making Your Own Pack

Want to make it really personal? Create your own game cards with Hitify. Add songs that are special to your family. That song that was always played at birthdays, the hit that was on the radio when the kids were small, the song from your wedding.

This way the game becomes not just a fun activity, but a journey through your shared musical history. And that might be the best gift of all.