How Do the Dutch Actually Celebrate Christmas?
If you ask Dutch people about their Christmas traditions, you’ll often get a hesitant answer. Many countries have clear rituals, fixed dishes, or strong religious customs… but in the Netherlands? Well, things are a bit less defined.
Many people don’t exchange Christmas gifts, we already do that on 5 December, during Sinterklaas, our real gift-giving holiday. Most Dutch people also no longer go to church or actively reflect on the religious story behind Christmas.
So what does Christmas revolve around for most Dutch families? Very simple: family time. And food. Lots of food.
Here are a few traditions you’ll find in many Dutch households:
1. Gourmetten: the great indoor barbecue tradition
If there’s one Christmas ritual that truly feels Dutch, it’s gourmetten. Imagine a hot plate in the middle of the table, everyone with their own tiny frying pan, and dozens of mini portions of vegetables, meat, sauces and bread.
It’s cosy, slightly chaotic, a bit smoky and absolutely iconic. And yes, there’s always someone who burns their little pan or fights over the last piece of bell pepper.
2. Watching All You Need Is Love
On Christmas Eve, thousands of Dutch families gather for one thing: the All You Need Is Love Christmas Special.
The show is filled with reunions, surprises and emotional airport scenes. It’s sentimental, predictable, a little cheesy and we absolutely love it. Someone always cries at least once. It’s practically tradition.
3. Two days of Christmas (yes, really!)
The Netherlands celebrates not one but two Christmas Days:
- First Christmas Day (25 December)
- Second Christmas Day (26 December)
The first is usually for immediate family, the second for extended family, friends, or simply recovering from the gourmetten feast.
4. The magical Christmas garden centre trip
A surprisingly beloved tradition: visiting a garden centre transformed into a winter wonderland.
From November onwards, Dutch garden centres turn into fairy-tale Christmas villages filled with lights, moving reindeer, miniature snowy towns, glittering ornaments, and Christmas music playing just a bit too loudly.
People wander around with hot chocolate, look for inspiration for their tree…and usually leave with at least one decoration they definitely didn’t need. But hey, that’s Christmas magic.
5. ‘Gezelligheid’ above all
The common thread in all Dutch Christmas celebrations is gezelligheid, that famous Dutch word that has no perfect English translation.
For many people, Christmas simply means:
long, cosy meals, board games winter walks, hot chocolate with whipped cream, Christmas movies, spending slow, warm time together.
No elaborate rituals, just a relaxed, cosy atmosphere where everyone slows down.
So… how do the Dutch celebrate Christmas?
In a thousand different ways. There are no strict rules or universal traditions, just the idea that it should be cosy, delicious, and together.
If you ask Dutch people about their Christmas traditions, you’ll often get a hesitant answer. Many countries have clear rituals, fixed dishes, or strong religious customs… but in the Netherlands? Well, things are a bit less defined.
Many people don’t exchange Christmas gifts, we already do that on 5 December, during Sinterklaas, our real gift-giving holiday. Most Dutch people also no longer go to church or actively reflect on the religious story behind Christmas.
So what does Christmas revolve around for most Dutch families? Very simple: family time. And food. Lots of food.
Here are a few traditions you’ll find in many Dutch households:
1. Gourmetten: the great indoor barbecue tradition
If there’s one Christmas ritual that truly feels Dutch, it’s gourmetten. Imagine a hot plate in the middle of the table, everyone with their own tiny frying pan, and dozens of mini portions of vegetables, meat, sauces and bread.
It’s cosy, slightly chaotic, a bit smoky and absolutely iconic. And yes, there’s always someone who burns their little pan or fights over the last piece of bell pepper.
2. Watching All You Need Is Love
On Christmas Eve, thousands of Dutch families gather for one thing: the All You Need Is Love Christmas Special.
The show is filled with reunions, surprises and emotional airport scenes. It’s sentimental, predictable, a little cheesy and we absolutely love it. Someone always cries at least once. It’s practically tradition.
3. Two days of Christmas (yes, really!)
The Netherlands celebrates not one but two Christmas Days:
- First Christmas Day (25 December)
- Second Christmas Day (26 December)
The first is usually for immediate family, the second for extended family, friends, or simply recovering from the gourmetten feast.
4. The magical Christmas garden centre trip
A surprisingly beloved tradition: visiting a garden centre transformed into a winter wonderland.
From November onwards, Dutch garden centres turn into fairy-tale Christmas villages filled with lights, moving reindeer, miniature snowy towns, glittering ornaments, and Christmas music playing just a bit too loudly.
People wander around with hot chocolate, look for inspiration for their tree…and usually leave with at least one decoration they definitely didn’t need. But hey, that’s Christmas magic.
5. ‘Gezelligheid’ above all
The common thread in all Dutch Christmas celebrations is gezelligheid, that famous Dutch word that has no perfect English translation.
For many people, Christmas simply means:
long, cosy meals, board games winter walks, hot chocolate with whipped cream, Christmas movies, spending slow, warm time together.
No elaborate rituals, just a relaxed, cosy atmosphere where everyone slows down.
So… how do the Dutch celebrate Christmas?
In a thousand different ways. There are no strict rules or universal traditions, just the idea that it should be cosy, delicious, and together.