Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. During this drive, people are together in a car and have to follow a route that was thought of by an organisation. Post offices, banks and several businesses are clogged. An angel appeared to shepherds and told them that a Savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. Information in this section describes how Christmas is celebrated in a normal year. If you ask, many Dutch nationals will stress to you the superficiality of gift-giving at Christmas in the Netherlands. But Sinterklaas doesn't come alone. This is the day where families gather, have dinner together and exchange presents. The people prefer eating the meat of Goose and Turkey. While it may seem similar to what you know, Christmas is not about Santa Claus and reindeer in the Netherlands. This custom begins on Advent Sunday (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) and continues until Christmas Eve. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. Though, restaurants that are unlocked may be packed with people who kept a unique Christmas meal in advance. As soon as Sinterklaas leaves, the streets and shops are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Sinterklaas Avond. It’s a public holiday on Christmas Day. What even is the Dutch tradition of gourmetten? 21-feb-2020 - Celebrate Christmas in Amsterdam, Holland & The Netherlands with insider tips by a Dutch local. It’s a public holiday on Christmas Day. Anyone for a Boxing Day fox hunt? Flappie was the creation of Dutch comedian Youp van ‘t Hek, and the song follows the story of a young boy looking for a lost rabbit, which tragically turns out to be Christmas dinner. This is an eve... 2. Instead, Christmas in the Netherlands means these two days are spent with family, singing carols, playing games, watching movies, reading Christmas tales, and indulging in holiday feasts. St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major … This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. There are lots of ways to celebrate or rejoice the day to its fullest and very family has their own traditions to celebrate festivals. But there are also families who exchange gifts at Sinterklaas‘ birthday and at Christmas – it depends on where you live. The 'banketstaaf' is a traditional Dutch pastry, served at Christmas time. A Dutch Christmas is similar to the experience in other western, predominantly-Christian countries: Christmas in the Netherlands is typified by family gatherings, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the eating of fine food and drink and in some – but not all families – the arrival of Santa Claus (Kerstman in Dutch) and the giving of gifts. If two Santas sound confusing, this guide will help you prepare for the Dutch Christmas season and understand Dutch Christmas traditions, from Sinterklaas to Kerstman. December is the most festive month of the year in the Netherlands, with Sinterklaas at the start of the month and Christmas and New Year's at the end. Banketstaaf – dutch pastry filled with a sweet almond … People loved to eat yummy and tasty cakes, pastries, ice-cream, etc. … It offers people the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Typically, the Dutch will forgo the traditional Christmas roast, and opt for what is called gourmetten. If you work in a Dutch company, you will most likely receive the … Dutch Christmas food was traditionally dominated by ingredients such as spices, white flour, dried fruits, almonds, and sugar, all the historically expensive foods that were typically reserved for feast days, parties and special holidays. As it is said earlier also people of same republican have their own different ways to celebrate or rejoice the day. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. And for dessert, there is usually some sort of pudding, followed by a cup of warm hot chocolate with whipped cream. It is a superior idea for public wishing to journey by public transport to check schedule for all parts of the roads cautiously before setting out. In fact, many Dutch residents will attend church on Christmas Eve night, but research also indicates that family get-togethers get higher priority. Dutch Christmas dinners usually consist of venison, goose, hare, or turkey with plenty of vegetables and Kerstbrood (Christmas bread). The horns make an eerie noise as they are blown at every farm in the neighborhood. Because of the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, many of the ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world might be different this year. December 25th and 26th, which … Christmas is a holiday to honor the birth of Jesus. Part of what makes a traditional Dutch Christmas is the special Dutch Christmas food consumed at this time of year. Usually rest of the day is celebrated calmly and peacefully with family and friends. One Dutch Christmas song is about a dead rabbit. Serve it up with coffee. The Dutch also celebrate by eating gourmetten, a hot plate on which diners place a set of mini pans containing their choice of meat or vegetables. 3. So despite the fact that some 50 percent of the Dutch celebrate Christmas in the Netherlands with presents – and is a growing custom – Santa is still typically second place in comparison with Sinterklaas. You can check the website of your local municipality for a list of events. Habits, mentality and the way of living. Christmas dinners in The Netherlands Yummy Dutch is a webshop with typical Dutch products.On this page you can read all our blog posts and recipes. To many expats, this is perhaps a strange custom because elsewhere some spend 26 December raiding local malls hunting Boxing Day bargains or those Down Under might watch the start of the Boxing Day cricket Test or horse races. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. Of course deserts. Creating the horn to actually make noise is a trick requiring plenty of practice! Among the religious population, not all Christians knew the meaning of Christmas either. He’s a jolly … While the Dutch don’t refer to the day after Christmas as Boxing Day, they do retain the tradition of the Christmas box or package (kerstpakket). Christmas trees Tradition has it that Christmas trees don’t make an appearance in the Netherlands until after Sinterklaas, so as soon as the Sint has left, the tree sellers move in. Merry Christmas Wishes For Father, Christmas 2020 Quotes & Messages For DAD, Inspirational Christmas Thoughts 2020, Merry Christmas Thought, Funny Happy Xmas Thoughts, Merry Christmas Images, Christmas Pictures 2020, Happy Xmas HD Photos For Whatsapp & Facebook. People protesting the Dutch tradition of "Black Pete" turn their backs to a holiday parade in the Netherlands. Another quirky song to have hit Dutch airwaves was Eenzame Kerst (Lonely Christmas), being the 70s breakthrough hit of Amsterdam singer André Hazes lamenting how lonely Christmas was in jail. On Christmas Eve Dutch people once again exchange gifts, but this time without the guidance of Sinterklaas. A sweet tooth is certainly needed at Christmas time as you’ll see with the most common Dutch Christmas food and treats: Appelbeignets – Dutch apple fritters, particularly common around New Year’s. On this very day almost all offices and schools are closed and air is filled with festivity. Sinterklaas is St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors and many others as well. The Christmas period in Holland. You may change your settings at any time. The Dutch, practical as they are, traditionally eat something they call “gourmet” which might leave you puzzled. You can make them in just a little over half an hour. Your email address will not be published. This is not to suggest the Netherlands does not observe the birth of Christ with religious fervor. One traditional festivity in the Netherlands is the feast of Sinterklaas. Christmas Traditions in the Netherlands Christmas is a holiday to honor the birth of Jesus. ‘After Sinterklaas, a Dutch tradition with a Santa Claus lookalike on 5 December, we buy a Christmas tree for our houses. As they say Merry Christmas in Dutch, Vrolijk Kerstfeest! On 25th December, public life is usually very calm. Find out how Christmas Traditions and how Christmas is celebrated in lots of different countries and cultures around the world! The month of December is a very pleasant time in Holland. In the Netherlands, Santa Claus is known as Sinterklaas.He differs in appearance from Santa Claus in that he is tall and slender, wears a dark red robe and a hat similar to a bishop's attire, and is often portrayed as elderly with a long, white beard. Amsterdam is a city without prejudice, a city of free and open-minded people. A dear teacher friend of ours wanted to share with her class what Christmas was like in the Netherlands. Department stores eagerly get into the swing of things during Christmas in the Netherlands, decorating every floor with bows, wreaths, fake presents, and large plastic trees, in preparation for the burgeoning shopping crowds. While food is an essential ingredient in Christmas in the Netherlands, family is the secret additive that makes this holiday traditional. No Christmas … This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. The Dutch like to put up Christmas trees and decorate their houses, give gifts and gather with family for a meal. The feast of Saint Nicolas is celebrated on 5 December and far from being threatened by his cousin from the North Pole, the tradition of Sinterklaas is rising in popularity. The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday and an additional candle is lit each following Sunday. The Dutch Christmas festive season officially starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas and his legion of Zwarte Piet helpers in mid-November. Holiday Traditions of Netherlands Christmas is a joyful religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They then organize and eat a lavish meal and may join a particular church service on Christmas Day. Christmas traditions in Netherland is typically defined by celebration of birth of Jesus, family gatherings, good food and drinks, arrival of Santa and the exchange of gifts. Of all the Dutch Christmas traditions, music is as much a part of Dutch Christmas as good food and a twinkling Christmas tree. On 25 and 26 December people come together with their families. This occasion plays a vital role in Christianity, a powerful religion in the … The first thing that tourists associate with the Netherlands is the legal sale of light drugs in coffeeshops. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. Lights, candles, wreaths, poinsettias, and trees are strung during Christmas in the Netherlands, hung, tacked, taped, and placed in every available space. The Christmas story comes from the Bible. Farmers use long horns made from the wood of elder trees, and everyday at dawn they blow the horn while standing over a well to announce the coming of Christ. Today there are still some sweet treats and cookies that are only eaten during the festive season, including kruidnoten (ginger nuts), advocaat (egg-yolk liquer) and bischopswijn (Dutch mulled wine), although the spiced biscuit speculaas tends to eaten year-round these days. Your choices will not impact your visit. With our recipes you will discover great meals, sauces and other typical dutch stuff you can make with the products from our Dutch food and products shop. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. A small difference you might note? If you are planning to eat out, remember it is always wise – just to be on the safe side – to make reservations far in advance. Your ultimate guide to a jolly Dutch Christmas: here we explain local Christmas traditions, Christmas songs, winter activities, and all the Dutch Christmas foods to try during the holidays in the Netherlands. An admired treat in tardy December is Christmas stolen (kerststol). The factual date of birth of Jesus is unidentified. The Dutch family unit is notably important and this is especially highlighted over the Dutch Christmas period. Streets can become very busy leading up to the big day, indicating that Christmas in the Netherlands has also not been immune to commercialism. This is a comfy mooch of bread with eggs, milk, sugar and dry fruit included into the dough and a roll of jagged marzipan baked in the center. Despite the arrival of Sinterklaas earlier in the month, a second bearded man, also dressed in red, makes his way to the Netherlands on Christmas Eve. But there are many enjoyable Dutch traditions surrounding their arrival, and children never complain about getting presents from Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet on 5 December. It is consider that the recipe initiates from when the crusaders bring exotic dried fruits and flavors back to the Netherlands around 1200 CE. Christmas time is the period of year when shopping roads are festooned with lights and sulk branches, creating a really pleasant family celebration! It offers people the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Speculaas. The Christmas celebration is a consequence of Christian power on pre-Christian frost festivals detained in the locale that is now the Netherlands and most of Europe. It is celebrated on the evening before Sinterklaas’ birthday on December 5, especially in families with little children. 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