by Xiomara, age 8 from Oranjestad, Aruba, asks Santa about Santa GIFs, Aruba’s ties to the Netherlands, and its blended Sinterklaas-Christmas traditions.
Dear Santa, my name is Xiomara, and I am eight years old. I live in Oranjestad, Aruba, where my mama says our island sits safely outside the path of hurricanes, unlike a lot of our Caribbean neighbors.
Dear Xiomara, a safe little island outside the storm path sounds like a very restful stop on my Caribbean route, your mama picked a truly fortunate hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is there a GIF of Santa? My tia sends me funny moving pictures of you every December.
Plenty of cheerful Santa GIFs exist online, Xiomara, perfect for a quick laugh during the busy season. Your tia sounds like she has a wonderful sense of holiday fun.
My mama says Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, even though we are so far away in the Caribbean. Is that true?
It is true, Xiomara, Aruba remains a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, despite sitting far away in the Caribbean Sea. I always enjoy that unique connection flying between two such different parts of the world.
My mama says our island celebrates both Sinterklaas and Christmas traditions. Is that true?
It is true, Xiomara, Aruba blends Dutch Sinterklaas customs with warm Caribbean Christmas traditions, creating a holiday season entirely its own. That kind of blending of cultures into something new and joyful is really a beautiful thing to witness.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Xiomara Werleman
Oranjestad, Aruba
P.S. Will you send my tia a GIF back this year?
I will ask the elves for their very best one, Xiomara, they have quite a collection.
