The popularity of the Sinterklaas festivities on December 5 remains undiminished although families expect to spend slightly less on presents this year, according to  market research group Q&A.

Total outgoings are expected to fall by 2% compared with last year, although slightly more families plan to celebrate the event, the survey of 1,500 people found. Rather than compromise on the size of the gifts, people are planning to give fewer presents.

Despite the improved economic situation, ‘people are still cautious about extra spending,’ Q&A said.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited start of the annual Sinterklaasjournal children’s programme on Wednesday night included both black and white Piets. The move is seen as a compromise in light of the growing criticism of the use of blackface make up on Sinterklaas’s helpers.

Secret

The story line of the show, which is broadcast daily until December 6, is being kept a closely guarded secret.

Two of the show’s main actors dropped out earlier this year in protest at the way the public broadcaster continued to focus on blackface characters.

Last month, commercial broadcaster RTL said it would only include Piets with sooty faces in its programming, to reflect the modern version of the story that Piet climbs down chimneys to deliver presents.