A week and a half ago it was time again: the annual St. Nicholas party at CreditDevice. An afternoon that for many colleagues now feels like a fixed milestone in the year and a favorite moment for all CreditDevice kids. The tension beforehand, the excitement as soon as Saint Nicholas and his helpers arrive and the search for the presents that are hidden in different places every year: it’s all part of the magic of this day. We closed traditionally with fries from Papa’s Craft.

A look back: how it began in 2014

The fact that CreditDevice celebrated its 24th anniversary two weeks ago took us back to the beginning of this tradition. The oldest photo we could find was taken in 2014. Back then, we celebrated St. Nicholas with just seven children. A small and cozy club, the oldest of which is now seventeen years old. If you ask them about their memories, the stories will come naturally.

About Pete, or rather Larissa den Hertog and later Jasper Verhaag, who played with them for hours. About the presents, the fun and the French fries on the floor in our old building on the Keyserswey.

Growth of the party: from 7 to 21 children

A lot has changed since then. CreditDevice grew in size, and the St. Nicholas party grew with it. Where we once welcomed seven children, this year as many as twenty-one children celebrated with Saint and Pete. The faces change, but our Saint and pete have been familiar for years.

The setting became larger and the group of children more diverse, but the atmosphere remained as warm and genuine as ever.

The power of traditions

And perhaps that’s the best thing about traditions: they evolve with you, but the magic remains. It’s not about the size of the party, but about the memories we create together. Moments that will later be relayed, shared and cherished.

On to the next edition

Once again this year we look back on a day full of happy faces, enthusiastic stories and precious moments. Next year we will be there again, with a new generation of children and hopefully the same familiar smiles from Sint and piet. And yes: with fries.