What do people do to celebrate Christmas in the Netherlands?

Therefore, many people go to church during Christmas. But many Dutch people who are not Christian also celebrate Christmas. Almost all Dutch people have a decorated Christmas tree in their house during Christmas. Also, most people eat with family or friends.

What are the Christmas traditions in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, Christmas traditions include Sinterklaas Avond on December 5th, midwinter hoornblaazen, and special celebrations on both Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day. These occasions involve gift-giving, spending time with family, playing games, watching movies and eating traditional food.

What do people do on each 12 days of Christmas?

Contemporary traditions include lighting a candle for each day, singing the verse of the corresponding day from the famous The Twelve Days of Christmas, and lighting a yule log on Christmas Eve and letting it burn some more on each of the twelve nights.

Is Christmas a big deal in the Netherlands?

Christmas in the Netherlands is a magical time, filled with cozy traditions, festive lights, and unique celebrations. For expats, it's a great opportunity to experience Dutch culture and embrace the holiday spirit.

What is Dutch Christmas called?

The Sinterklaas feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the morning of Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) in Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany, and northern France (French Flanders, Lorraine, Alsace and Artois).

How do the DUTCH celebrate CHRISTMAS?

What is Santa's name in the Netherlands?

For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! St.

Do the Dutch say "merry Christmas"?

What Is the Traditional Dutch Christmas Greeting? The traditional Dutch Christmas greeting is "Zalig Kerstfeest," which means "Merry Christmas." You might also hear "Vrolijk Kerstfeest," which means "Joyful Christmas." Both are commonly used, and you can choose whichever one feels right!

What do Dutch eat for Christmas?

The Dutch celebrate Christmas for 2-days, the 25th and 26th of December. Christmas Food Traditions in the Netherlands includes Kerststol almond paste bread, a sweet loaf baked with dried fruits, nuts, raisins, and almond paste. A mix of ham and cheeses will accompany this for lunch.

Why do the Dutch have two Christmas days?

Yet, the reason why they celebrate Christmas over two days is quite simple; this way, families have enough time to reconnect with one another, enjoy meals and cosy up by the fire.

What is a typical Dutch Christmas gift?

A cheerful cap, tasty sweets, syrup waffles, or the famous kissing couple. And no, not boring, nice and fresh designs make them really attractive. Of course, your gift doesn't have to be just fun, it can also be practical. Kitchen textiles such as a kitchen towel or towels give a real Dutch touch to a house.

What do people normally do on Christmas Day?

Usually, how people celebrate Christmas is by exchanging gifts, decorating their homes, celebrating with parades or parties, dedicating prayer, and sharing food and drink.

How many gifts are given during 12 days of Christmas?

Over the course of the 12 days, the true love gives 364 gifts! That's because the gifts are cumulative, and each day, the singer gets a repeat of the gifts from the previous days.

How long does Christmas last?

Dates. Christmastide, commonly called the Twelve Days of Christmas, lasts 12 days, from 25 December to 5 January, the latter date being named as Twelfth Night. These traditional dates are adhered to by the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church.

What is the Christmas shoe tradition in the Netherlands?

Before going to bed in the evening children put their shoes next to the fireplace or outside the front door in the hopes that Sinterklaas will leave a sweet treat in their shoe. In their shoe, they leave a carrot or some hay and a bowl of water nearby "for Sinterklaas' horse", and the children sing a Sinterklaas song.

Does the Netherlands celebrate Christmas on 24th or 25th?

Christmas Day, always celebrated on December 25, focuses on family gatherings and festive meals. Although December 24 (Christmas Eve, or Kerstavond) is not an official holiday, many families spend it quietly, sometimes attending midnight church services or adding final touches to decorations.

What games do the Netherlands play on Christmas?

Traditional Dutch game: Sjoelen

At the end of the box there are four gates, with small openings through which the discs just fit. The goal of the game is to slide the discs through the gates. This game used to be played by many families at Christmas and New Year's Eve, but also at other celebrations.

What are three fun facts about Christmas in the Netherlands?

What is Santa called in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas came to be known as Sinterklaas: a tall and skinny man who wears a red garment, carries a scepter with him and has a bishop's hat on that resembles depictions of the historical Saint Nicholas. There are no flying sleighs, reindeers or mystical home in the North Pole for Sinterklaas.

What is the biggest holiday in the Netherlands?

The biggest celebration of the year takes place every year on April 27. This is ´King´s Day´ in Holland, and throughout the country festivities take place, with everything and everyone decked out in the colour orange – the colour of the royal family, the 'House of Orange'.

What do Dutch people do at Christmas?

During Dutch Christmas people spend two days with their family, playing games, watching movies and eating some traditional Christmas food. As a matter of fact, to some international students this might seem strange.

What do the Netherlands drink for Christmas?

Glühwein – a German classic found in Dutch markets

Well yes, but while Glühwein (mulled wine) originates from Germany, you'll find it at almost every Dutch Christmas market during the winter season. This warm, spiced wine is a festive favorite, perfect for keeping cozy while strolling through holiday markets.

What is traditionally eaten on Christmas Day?

Traditional Christmas dinner setting Roast dinner, often centered on turkey, is commonly consumed in English speaking countries. Panettone, an Italian type of fruitcake, is enjoyed at Christmas in several countries.

How do you say Santa in Dutch?

The Dutch now also know Santa Claus (or the Kerstman as we call him in Dutch).

What do the Dutch eat on Christmas Eve?

Sinterklaas falls on the eve of Saint Nicolas Day. It's the main celebration and is basically the Dutch version of Christmas Eve. Lots of Sinterklaas-related food items are eaten around this time, such as chocolate letters, pepernoten and marzipan figurines.