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Reader of Expatica Belgium, Donna De Block-Stojanovich, explains,"Saint Nicolas and his assistant Pere Fouettard are celebrated by Francophones in Belgium the same as Sint Niklaas and Zwarte Piet are in Flanders.
Père Noël is the French equivalent to the Kerstman in flemish and Santa Claus in English [who arrive bearing gifts on the eve of 25 December], and they are not accompanied by Zwarte Piet/Père Fouettard."
Brussels-based Kim Campbell compiled the table below to make sure things are absolutely clear:
| Who’s who at Christmas? | |||
| English | St Nicholas | Black Peter | Father Christmas/ Santa Claus |
| French | St Nicolas | Père Fouettard | Père Noël |
| Dutch | Sint Niklaas/ Sinterklaas | Zwarte Piet | Kerstman |
Expatica/ NG