A Saint Nicholas list the whole family can tick off
Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, is a childrenās celebration in Belgium and the Netherlands, separate from Christmas. Write your childrenās wishes on Huglist and share one link with the family. Everyone sees whatās still free, so nobody buys the same present twice.
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New to Sinterklaas? Why a list helps
In Belgium, Saint Nicholas comes on the night of 5 to 6 December. Children put out a shoe the evening before and find their presents in the morning. In the Netherlands, most families celebrate pakjesavond (āpresent eveningā) on the evening of 5 December. Itās a separate celebration from Christmas, a few weeks earlier.
Around those days, everyone wants to buy something at the same time: grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles. Without a plan, that often ends in double gifts. With a shared list, every giver sees straight away what has already been bought. Relatives abroad only need the link to tick off a gift too.
Your children donāt see any of this. You, the parent, manage the list, so the surprise stays intact.
How it works, in 3 steps
Write the list
Paste a link to a product from any online shop, or simply type a wish yourself: āa book about dinosaursā. Where possible, we fill in the title, photo and price for you.
Share one link
Send the link to the family by WhatsApp, Messenger or email. Gift-givers donāt need an account.
Givers tick off
Whoever buys something ticks it off. The others see itās taken. For a bigger present, everyone can chip in together.
š” Tips for a good Saint Nicholas list
- Let your child join in or draw a picture: thatās their letter to Saint Nicholas. You then add the wishes to the list.
- Add wishes at different prices, so both the neighbour and the grandparents can find something.
- Mention sizes and age where it matters (clothes, shoes, puzzles with the right number of pieces).
- Something big, like a bike or a balance bike? Make it a group gift, so the family can chip in together.
- Things to do together belong on the list too: a day out, a cinema voucher, a trip to the zoo.
- More than one child? Make a list for each child. That keeps things clear for the givers.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child see what has already been bought?
No, not if you as the parent manage the list and your child only sees it the way gift-givers do. On a childās list, the parents see what has been bought; the surprise stays safe for the child.
Does it work for pakjesavond in the Netherlands too?
Yes. Huglist works in Belgium and the Netherlands. In your account, choose whether you live in Belgium or the Netherlands, and weāll show gift-givers the shops that suit your country.
Do gift-givers need to sign up?
No. Whoever gets the link opens the list in their browser and ticks off what theyāre buying. No app, no password. Only the person who makes a list needs an account.
Can family abroad tick off gifts too?
Yes. Anyone you send the link to can open the list in their browser and tick off what theyāre buying, wherever they live.
Can we draw names for the adults too?
Yes. With a Secret Santa draw, every participant gets their own secret link. You can set exclusions, so partners donāt draw each other.
Is Huglist really free?
Yes. There are no ads and we donāt sell any data. If someone buys a gift through a link on Huglist, some shops pay us a small commission. Neither you nor your gift-givers pay anything extra.
Free, no ads. Gift-givers donāt need an account.
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