Christmas in the Netherlands is always such a cozy, festive time! As the year comes to an end, most classrooms set up a big Christmas tree that the children decorate with handmade crafts or real ornaments.
When I used to teach in the Netherlands, I always asked my students to bring one ornament from home — it made the tree feel so personal and special. I would add the lights and tinsel beforehand, and then together we would decorate the tree. It was such a warm, happy moment!
Weeks before the holiday, we practiced Christmas songs, lit candles together, and counted down to the Christmas break. On the last day before the holidays, most schools have a Christmas breakfast or Christmas dinner.
In my class, everyone brought something they had made — enough for about six people — so there was plenty for everyone to taste. I often asked one or two parents to help serve the food. With carols in the background and lots of laughter, it was always a highlight of the school year.
The next morning, after the school breakfast (usually with a little chocolate and a boiled egg), we’d tidy up together, take down the decorations, and head home for the holidays — everyone cheerful and ready for Christmas!
Every family celebrates Christmas in their own way. In this blog, I’ll share how Christmas is celebrated in the Netherlands, how I used to experience it as a child (both in the Netherlands and on Aruba, where my father once worked), and how we now celebrate it with our own family in Spain — where our expat life makes Christmas feel a little quieter and more relaxed.
What Is Christmas?
For most Dutch families, Christmas is a time to slow down and enjoy being together with family and friends. There’s lots of delicious food, candles, games, and laughter.
If you visit the Netherlands during Christmas as an expat family, you’ll likely go from one family gathering to another — lunch with grandparents, dinner with relatives, walks along the beach, or cozy evenings by the fireplace.
We try to be in the Netherlands during Christmas whenever we can, but sometimes we travel to warmer places instead. Wherever we are, I always take a moment to tell my children the story of the birth of Jesus — it’s a beautiful reminder of what this season is all about.
Christmas Activities
There are so many wonderful things to do in the Netherlands around Christmas:
🎄 Christmas markets are everywhere — full of lights, music, hot chocolate, and handmade gifts. If you live nearby, it’s also lovely to visit one in Germany or Belgium, where the markets are even bigger and more magical (and sometimes snowy!).
🎅 Intratuin, a famous Dutch garden center, transforms into a true Christmas wonderland every year — with moving trains, tiny villages, and sparkling decorations. My children love it! And of course, we always end the visit with a warm cup of hot chocolate in the café.
✨ You’ll also find light festivals, Christmas concerts, and Christmas ice rinks all over the country — perfect for creating that festive feeling.
Christmas at School
At Dutch primary schools, Christmas is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Alongside decorating the classroom and singing carols, there’s often a school-wide celebration. On Christian schools, children might perform a small Christmas play or sing in a nativity service. On other schools, the focus is more on togetherness, kindness, and sharing — but always with candles, songs, and cozy lights everywhere.
How to Celebrate Christmas as an Expat
As an expat, Christmas can look quite different depending on where you live.
Here in Spain, for example, Christmas is mostly a family holiday. On the 24th and 25th, most people spend the whole day with relatives, so the streets are quiet. That can feel a bit different when you don’t have your extended family nearby — but there are still many ways to make it special.
🎁 Tips for celebrating Christmas abroad:
- Plan a Christmas dinner or walk with other expat friends.
- Enjoy nature — the mild winter weather here is perfect for outdoor adventures.
- Take a short trip! When I was a child, we sometimes spent Christmas on Aruba, where my father worked. I still remember swimming in the sea with 30°C, surrounded by palm trees and Christmas lights — it was magical.
- Or spend Christmas in the Netherlands again one year — reconnect with grandparents, cousins, and family traditions, and maybe even see some snow!
Christmas and the Dutch Language
Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to playfully use and expand your child’s Dutch language skills. There are so many fun ideas to try:
✍️ Write a letter to Santa — in Dutch, of course! Let your children share what they wish for or what they’re thankful for this year.
📚 Give a Dutch book as a gift. In our family, we exchange presents for Sinterklaas, so at Christmas we don’t give toys — but we always give each child a book under the tree. I also give one to my nieces and nephews! Reading together, even just a few pages each night, is such a great way to build language and connection. > Find more tips on how to make reading with your child fun and engaging here.
🎬 Watch a Dutch Christmas movie — there are lots of lovely options for children on NPO Start or Zapp.
✂️ Do a Dutch craft together. On YouTube, you’ll find many fun Christmas craft tutorials explained in Dutch — perfect for listening practice while creating something festive.
It’s the perfect mix of language, culture, and coziness.
Christmas at Dutch for Kids
At Dutch for Kids, we always celebrate Christmas in our lessons. Every class works with the Christmas theme in its own way:
- Younger children focus on vocabulary and songs.
- Middle groups read short stories about Christmas and talk about how they celebrate it at home.
- Older students write lists or cards in Dutch and sometimes do a project about kindness or helping others.
It’s one of our favorite times of the year — the lessons feel warm, cheerful, and full of connection.
5 Dutch Treats for the Christmas Season
- Kerststol – A sweet bread filled with almond paste, raisins, and powdered sugar.
- Oliebollen – Traditional Dutch doughnuts, often eaten on New Year’s Eve (but also delicious in December!).
- Speculaas – Spiced cookies that fill the house with the scent of cinnamon and cloves.
- Kerstkransjes – Little chocolate wreaths that hang in the tree — though they rarely last long!
- Hot chocolate with whipped cream – The perfect way to end a cozy winter day.
Wondering if Dutch for Kids — our online Dutch course — is right for your child? Would you like your child to learn more about Dutch traditions like Christmas and Sinterklaas — while improving their Dutch in a fun and natural way?
Gerelateerd
