156843
How to spend Christmas in the Netherlands
Christmas is an important festival in the West and a day for reunion. Christmas in the Netherlands is called Kerstmis, which falls on the 25th and 26th day of December every year. It is a legal holiday in the Netherlands with two days of holidays.
The 25th and 26th are the Christmas and New Year holidays in the Netherlands, but if you want to start Christmas on the 24th, you will be disappointed. Because in the Netherlands, Christmas Eve on the 24th is just an ordinary day. Everyone should go to school and go to work.
How the Dutch celebrate Christmas
Christmas trees are essential for Dutch people to celebrate Christmas. Local governments around the Netherlands will place Christmas trees on the streets of the city to add to the festive atmosphere. Of course, the way to celebrate is to send greeting cards to each other. Generally, families will go home and have dinner with their parents on December 25th or 26th to celebrate, but there are also many people who go on vacation, especially to Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany and other places. ski.
Even if they don’t go abroad on vacation, the Dutch like to spend a week or two with their families in resorts in the suburbs. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most crowded days of the year for churches.
What the Dutch spend on Christmas
The cost of buying Christmas gifts makes up the bulk of Christmas spending. The same is true in the Netherlands. The average Dutch household spends 243 euros on Christmas gifts. This expenditure accounts for more than half of the Dutch’s entire Christmas spending. The Dutch spent 168 euros on food and drink during Christmas, ranking second in spending. Dutch families spend an average of 42 euros on travelling to visit relatives and friends over the Christmas period, ranking third. Decorations such as Christmas trees and other decorations cost 15 euros.
What do the Dutch give for Christmas?
The Dutch are known for being thrifty and don’t usually give gifts to close friends, but Christmas is an exception. But the gifts given by the Dutch are by no means fancy. In addition to chocolates, flowers, potted plants, etc., they may also send some shampoo and body wash sets, which are very practical. The unit will also send Christmas gift boxes to employees, filling a cardboard box with different foods, daily necessities, decorations, etc.; small ones include coffee powder, chocolate, tea, and biscuits; large ones, such as electric bread machines, kitchen appliances, etc. Electronic measuring instruments, tea sets, etc. All in all, gifts are very useful.
The First day of Christmas
Christmas is December 25th, known by the Dutch as the first day of Christmas. On this day, the Dutch hold family reunions, where the whole family, adults and children, get together to have dinner and exchange gifts.
However, there are very few turkeys to eat in the Netherlands because everyone thinks it’s too much of a hassle these days. Therefore, most of the “pragmatic” Dutch people cook light meals by themselves. Like a Stamppot, (a winter “gourmet” that stirs potatoes and veggies together), or a grilled meat, a variety of cheeses and a variety of sauces, and a Christmas family dinner is over. But if you really want to make turkey, you can, but you have to go to the butcher shop to make an order in advance!
The second day of Christmas
December 26, this day is often a day to rest at home, stay quietly with family members, and enjoy the leisure days. On this day, the whole family gets together, chatting and watching movies at home, or hanging out at the Christmas market outside.
Christmas is also a big holiday for children. At this time, all the elders will gather to care for the children, buy them various gifts, and accompany them to spend an unforgettable Christmas. Some families choose to go on short trips. For the Dutch, it is very convenient to go to the south of the Netherlands to experience a different Christmas style, or to go abroad to Belgium or Germany.
New Year is here! Looking forward to the stars, looking forward to the moon, and finally looking forward to the new year. At this time of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, most of us gather together to celebrate. On this day, trains and all kinds of traffic will stop early, and restaurants will close early. At this time, everyone gathers with friends to eat, chat and drink, or go out to party. Or go to see the New Year’s fireworks display. For the Dutch, the New Year is rarely spent alone. Let’s drink and dance together, and welcome the New Year!
