St Nicholas at Work: Ideas and Gifts.

Now that hybrid and flexible work are the norm, it’s extra nice to see each other in person again. An after-work drink is the perfect oppor­tu­ni­ty for that. Do your best to get creative and make sure it doesn’t turn into an extended work meeting, but a real cel­e­bra­tion.

Treat your team to St. Nicholas-themed drinks and treats: think peppernuts, speculaas cake, tangerines, and chocolate. Add a touch of music to set the mood and plan a few fun activities to break the ice. How about a quiz full of fun facts about coworkers, a foosball table, or the classic ​“knock-on-the-nail” game? There are plenty of ways to have fun together!

Looking for a playful approach? Have someone from your orga­ni­za­tion — such as the CEO or a manager—step into the role of St. Nicholas and read funny messages from the big St. Nicholas book. This can be done one-on-one or with the whole group, in person or online.

Want to involve your employees’ children in the cel­e­bra­tion too? Let them get creative on Kadonation’s St. Nicholas website: crafting, coloring, baking, or singing! And of course, well-behaved children will receive an extra gift as a reward.

Fun guaranteed, for young and old alike!

A true Sin­terk­laas classic — especially among our northern neighbors — and perfect for playing with coworkers. How does it work? Everyone brings three small gifts, purchased within an agreed-upon budget. The game is played in two rounds.

In round one, you keep playing until all the packages have been dis­trib­uted and unwrapped. This might take a while. And just when you think you’ve got the best haul… everything changes with a single roll of the dice. Our tip: don’t get too attached to your gifts just yet.

In round two, you set a time limit. Only when the time runs out will everyone know which gifts they’re taking home. Laughter is guaranteed, especially if there are a few crazy or original gifts mixed in.

Want to give it a try? You’ll find the rules here.

Have colleagues write a short St. Nicholas poem or mini-roast about relatable moments at work: the spread­sheet hero, the coffee king, the bug-fixer on duty. Always warm and respectful, with a wink. This will put smiles on faces and create real team energy in no time.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Short and sweet: 4 to 6 lines is ideal.
2. Positive and safe: choose a fun anecdote, avoid sensitive topics.
3. Reading time: Plan an open mic during the after-work gathering.
4. Rhyming help: Have a list ready: St. Nicholas, hint, sprint, print, mint, customer, sense, planned, talent.

An example:

‘Dear Sarah, you keep each sprint on track with care,
Your planning is flawless, week by week, beyond compare.
Saint Nicholas saw your focus and smiled with delight:
​“This little gift suits you perfectly, it just feels right!’

Bring some magic to the workplace and let your employees put out their shoes at the office! Surprise them not only with treats, but also add a personal touch that really suits them.

Our market research shows that people like to choose their own gifts, because let’s be honest: no one wants that third mug with a corny slogan. For­tu­nate­ly, we have the perfect solution for every type of employee:

• The Kadonation Gift Card: redeemable at over 100 partners, for ultimate freedom of choice.
• Prefer something more tra­di­tion­al? That’s an option, too. Choose a festive gift package packed with treats to enjoy together. No stress: our selection is per­son­al­ized, varied, and approved by Sin­terk­laas and Pakjespiet.

Organize a fun-filled family day where Sin­terk­laas and his Pieten provide fun games, lively enter­tain­ment, and of course… gifts! Fun activities, happy kids, and relaxed coworkers: success guaranteed for young and old alike.

Thanks to our Kadonation Gift Card, employees can choose a gift for their children in advance. Ask them to bring the gift with them on the day of the event, so St. Nicholas and his helpers can present it personally. The result? Beaming faces, warm memories, and coworkers who feel truly appre­ci­at­ed.