Second hand from Santa? “They may now put on their shoes”

• Jisk van Haga

  Online publisher

Candy galore, shoe polish and eye-catching gifts in Pakjesavond: Sinterklaas is there for everyone, but not everyone is looking forward to Sinterklaas evening. Now that everything is getting more expensive, the holidays are raising concerns among consumers, according to research by ABN Amro.

Because how do you organize a Sinterklaas party if you can no longer pay your electricity bill or even have trouble making ends meet with your groceries? For many people this year the solution lies in secondhand toys.

Advertising site Marktplaats reports a 10% increase in demand for second-hand toys compared to last year. Rachel Heijne of Branchevereniging Kringloopbedrijven Nederland (BKN) has also noticed the increase in the sale of second-hand toys. “One of our largest suppliers said they are selling more used toys than ever before.”

Not only are more toys being sold at the 2Switch thrift store in Zutphen, but they were given out for free a week earlier than Pakjesavond. People on a budget could choose four gifts per child on Sundays through a special Sinterklaas campaign, payment was out of the question.

For single mother Melina Bakker it was a relief, she says: “It suited me very well. My children were now able to put on their shoes and were very happy. My youngest was over the moon with his little pirate.” .

25-year-old Bakker went to the thrift store for the first time this year, because with two small children aged seven and four and out of work, organizing a nice Sinterklaas party for her children is quite a challenge. “If you see that the children have put on shoes in class and you haven’t, it is obviously very sad.”

All kinds of gifts have been collected on 2Switch for weeks: big and small, old and new. Boxes full of toys have arrived at the store. For one day, the thrift store had become one big free toy store. As a result of the action, nearly 200 children will get an unexpected Pakjesavond this year.

Bakker becomes visibly excited when she thinks back to the action and stories she’s heard from like-minded people. “I was really shocked that people didn’t have the money to buy food,” Bakker says. “I thought: How is it possible that people don’t have money to feed their children. I think that’s really bad.”

Despite her own situation, Bakker recently donated many clothes and toys to a fundraising campaign at her children’s school. “If they don’t play it anymore, someone else can still use it, right?”

Bakker believes people who are struggling financially should get over the shame. “I understand that there may be shame, but talk about it because then people can help you. If you don’t, you won’t achieve anything.”

Four years ago, Mirjam Diks from the second-hand shop in Zutphen started the Sinterklaas action. “You hear so many heartbreaking stories and see how grateful people are for gifts for their children. It’s wonderful to see.”

Diks tells how his campaign has “unfortunately” become increasingly popular in recent years. “We managed to make more children happy than last year. The need is very high these days.”

Meanwhile, people pop in and out of the toy corner in the store. Sinterklaas is only a few days away, Karin is also looking for her grandchildren. She doesn’t hesitate to buy new toys: “Just wash them and use them again, no harm done. I throw everything in the soapy water. My nephew has a huge box of Duplo from here.”

Even though the presents have been set for December 5, Bakker can’t help but smell the toys. He takes two canvas posters from a basket Cars out, for just one euro. “My son would love it.” He ignores the rest of the shop. “Ultimately, you want the best for your children.”