There are different cultures in Belgium: Wallonie (speaking French) and Vlaanderen (speaking Flemish, like I do)
Before Christmas, Sinterklaas is celebrated December 6th, which is an entirely different holiday. It is said that Sinterklaas (Saint-Nicolas) rides his white horse on the roofs of the houses, and delivers the gifts via the chimney. Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) is his helper. (sorry, so is the tradition) Children set their shoes and leave a carrot in them for the horse. In return, the goodly saint leaves candy in the shoes. If possible, he also brings the toys that the children asked for in a letter.
The tradition of Sinterklaas and the songs are in both, the Flemish (Dutch) speaking part of Belgium and The Netherlands very similar.
Now Children get gifts under the Christmas tree also. But this isn't the same everywhere. It mostly depends on the parents. At some families, they buy gifts for each other and put them under the tree. In others, mostly when there are still little children, it's Santa who brings the gifts. He's called de Kerstman.
The churches in some villages have beautiful Nativity scenes and they are quite popular in homes also. After a big meal, presents are given at Christmas evening, or at Christmas day.
Christmas lights lighten the streets long before Christmas, and we decorate our Christmas tree early december, so we can enjoy it a long time :-)
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