December 5th is pakjesavond — gift evening — the night Dutch families exchange Sinterklaas presents. Not December 25th. Each gift comes with a handwritten rhyming poem (gedicht) teasing the recipient, and often an elaborately disguised wrapping (surprise). Larger groups do lootjestrekken — a secret Santa draw with a price cap, typically €10–25. The gedicht is often more anticipated than the gift itself. See the [[sinterklaas]] guide for the full tradition.