By Glicinda du Plessisִ

Christmas in the Netherlands has its own unique charm, but it’s also the time of year when you miss home the most. Last year was our first Christmas away from family in South Africa, and it was definitely the most challenging part of the year. It’s strange not to smell the familiar barbecue, suntan lotion and garden parties, but cold air and the smell of glühwein and hot chocolate have a different kind of charm.

Are there any interesting Christmas customs and traditions?

In the Netherlands, Christmas is definitely a big event. The Christmas markets are just as incredible as in Germany. There are stalls, bands, lights and hot chocolate everywhere. Even at Intratuin, which is a large garden and DIY store similar to Leroy Merlin, they have a Christmas show. From ordinary decorations to a few little wonderlands of snow, miniature towns and glittering lights … Children’s eyes really widen with wonder.

Amsterdam also hosts the Winter Festival with Ice Amsterdam. It’s a large ice rink on Museumplein. (Check out winterfestivalamsterdam.com.) It brings a bit of classic European fairytale feel to the city.

Do you still enjoy a traditional South African feast, or do you try new dishes? Are there any special dishes unique to the Netherlands?

We still stick to our South African feast. Last year, we celebrated Christmas with South African friends and, of course, made our favourites: gammon, homemade mustard, curry noodle salad, garlic bread and a Christmas tree-shaped chocolate cake. It’s amazing how those flavours instantly make you feel like you’re back in South Africa.

However, the Dutch also have their own delicacies, and many people are definitely addicted to oliebollen. It’s almost like a raisin-filled vetkoek that’s only available this time of year. As soon as the first oliebol standjes (stalls) go up, you know Christmas is just around the corner!

Are there beautiful Christmas lights in your neighbourhood or a new Christmas craze emerging in your country?

My Christmas lights and decorations are usually up by November. Yes, I’m that neighbour! The streets here are incredibly beautifully decorated. All those lights brighten up the grey winter weather. And all the different Christmas decorations for sale are enough to make anyone poor. This time of year, I can’t be trusted to go shopping alone, because I might just walk out with a bag full of Christmas decorations, as if I didn’t have enough at home.

Do you stick to traditional celebrations, or do you celebrate Christmas in new ways?

Although we still adhere to South African traditions, there are a few differences. Here, December 25 and 26 are celebrated. It’s not like in South Africa, where December 24 is also celebrated – people usually still work that day. Now we also celebrate two days – one day with friends and one just quietly at home.

A big part of Dutch Christmas is the so-called Kerst Gourmet, where everyone sits around the table with small pans and a hot plate in the middle and cooks their own meat, vegetables and sauces. We haven’t done it ourselves yet but would like to try it.

Another thing I really like is that people here still send Christmas cards by post. The mailboxes are overflowing with colourful envelopes. It gives me that old-world Christmas feeling that you don’t get anymore. I really enjoy participating in it!

How do you keep in touch with family who live far away?

Being away from family is always hard. We usually video call on Christmas Day. I think the secret is to start online traditions, like opening presents together during a call. It’s not the same, but it helps. We would love to go to South Africa again over Christmas, but we all know that’s when plane tickets are the most expensive.

Also, tell us some stories about previous Christmas celebrations.

In South Africa, we always celebrated 24 December quietly with snacks and preparations for the big feast on the 25th. On Christmas Day itself, we usually travelled between my and my husband’s families, which of course meant we ate double! From gammon and chicken to lamb and salads – we definitely put on a few kilos every year. It was always such a great time with the kids playing and swimming and the smell of braai meat hanging in the summer air. These are all memories that are incredibly precious to me.

Here in the Netherlands, things are completely different. It’s cold, but the warm lights make it special in their own way. And even though it’s far from home, we still enjoy a piece of South Africa – on our plate, in our hearts, and in the laughter around the table with other South Africans.

Christmas abroad teaches you that “home” is not just a place – it is a feeling, a smell, a tradition that travels with you. The Netherlands offers a unique Christmas feeling with winter markets, lights, two-day celebrations and the warmth of new ways to celebrate. But deep down you still have the South African warmth that makes every feast, every call and every memory special.

Also read: Celebrate Christmas with AfriForum Worldwide – share your unique Christmas stories!