Christmas in the Netherlands...you will not find this in the US!

It's the beginning of the holiday season here in the Netherlands and it is full of traditions, wonder and all things that make the holidays so special. Christmas in the Netherlands is different than it is in the United States. Everything from how Sinterklaas arrives to the treats he brings! From kruidnoten, chocolade letters to oliebollen. These are things you will not be finding in the US but are things every child (and adult) loves and looks forward to every year. When Tammy and I moved to the Netherlands from the US, we did not fully understand the Christmas holidays here in the Netherlands and we're still trying to fully adjust. Holidays in Europe, holidays in the Netherlands are something that needs to be experienced and not just read about. So as an expat who loves Christmas and has experienced some of the best that the Netherlands has to offer, from Sinterklaas to Zwarte Piet, take it from me, you can find them right here in Rotterdam Netherlands!

[@lbergen001]

Tip: Respect the order: FIRST Sinterklaas, THEN Christmas, THEN Oud&Nieuw, THEN afvallen. Don't mix them up.😂 Nice video btw 👍👍

[@aislingbooks]

🤣🤣🤣

[@sim-one]

🤣😅🤣👍🏻

[@UstiWaya]

You forgot the New Years dive 😜

[@aislingbooks]

OMG, no ... hahaha

[@lbergen001]

@@UstiWaya you're right. 👍

[@MarjoleinNoyceBellingaMobiel]

In big parts of the Netherlands they celebrate "Sint Maarten" on November 11th. The kids make their own lantern and go past the doors singing special St Maarten songs and collect treats (comparable with Halloween, but with singing instead of costumes). Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands the first weekend after November 11th.

[@manuell3505]

Only in the south they pull to catholic saints...

[@MarjoleinNoyceBellingaMobiel]

@@manuell3505 i grew up in Amsterdam, where it is neighborhood dependent. I now live in haarlem where it is big, my kids grew up with st Maarten

[@jordyvelthuizen5766]

Yeah but Halloween is getting more popular in the Netherlands to

[@MarjoleinNoyceBellingaMobiel]

@@jordyvelthuizen5766 Also true, the square I live does St Maarten by default, but in our whatsapp group households can tell whether they also celebrate Halloween - so the kids have a few houses to visit for Halloween and all the houses for St Maarten. I'll peek tonight to see if they are properly dressed up... though that might be hard to judge since they will probably wear big coats against the pelting rain :)

[@debbymarchena4291]

In the south they celebrate Drie Koningen (3 Kings) januari 6. Children dress up like kings and ding and get sweets

[@lennartvers1767]

Bit of a early Christmas message: You two are already more Dutch than you think you are. Following you for 3 years now and it is like watching family that forgot how to speak Dutch. You are lovely people! Hope you stay with us for a very long time.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thank you so much! Eric

[@jandirkvanleeuwen]

I absolutely agree 👍

[@hedwignl8118]

I’m team Eric! You turn the heat on when you’re cold!! And I don’t really care if it’s May, August or December. I’m Dutch through and through but I never understood the self deprivation part of my culture. I turn on the heat when I’m cold. 😅😂💪🏻🥰🥰🥰

[@ABakker307]

Same! I actually do both, a nice fleeche blanket on the couch but also the heat, haha.

[@nynkestellema2641]

I turn the heat on when it gets colder than 18.5 degrees in my livingroom. It's still 19.5 degrees, so i'm with Tammy. :)

[@mfierst7326]

Same here.

[@nickdentoom1173]

I do it when its 17.5. Then i turn it up to 22.5 and when its warmed up, i turn it down again (Since then closing the curtains its stays warm anyways).

[@The_Mermaid]

Sorry Eric, I am "team Tammy" too! You don't turn the heat on unless you can not get warm anymore with an extra sweater, a cardigan or a blanket. On the holiday season: do you guys not get kids at the door at Sint Maarten (which is every year on November 11)? Children have a "lampion" with them with a light in it and they go door to door singing songs to get a treat. 😀

[@meriambrouwer6927]

I am with Tammy in this!

[@jeannetgijsbertsen5175]

Nice video! At day time we don't put the cv on. If it's getting too cold, we have a little heater. At night times, we put on the cv when it gets colder then 19.5C.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

You missed something :) Sinterklaas arrived the saturday after Saint Martin (11-11). It is quite a thing in the North of The Netherlands. At that day kids are visiting homes with paper lanterns and singing at your door for some candy. And I'm with team Eric, and well my heather is doing his job for 2 weeks now :)

[@dianemckim9535]

I am with Amy... Blankets, sweaters, cuddling warms the heart and toes!

[@adrimathlener8008]

The tradition in the north of the Netherlands, say in the province of Groningen, you put on the heat after the Zuidlaardermarkt. It starts at the third Tuesday of October and lasts for 5 days. When that ends you turn the heat on. And you're wife is right Eric, put on a sweater. You're the man if you put on a 'foute kersttrui'. Look in the shops for it. Will we see you wearing one in the next video?

[@roosgroen7254]

This year the fall is still very warm, so we even could wait untill ìn november!

[@Stadtionalist]

Have not yet turned on the heat these months. Tammy is right, you grab a blanket, a sweater, slippers, a hot water bottle, etc before you turn on the heat. I generally wait until my wife cracks and gives in to the cold, which usually occurs when it starts to freeze (for more than a single night).

[@dutchmom3963]

I'm with Tammy on the heat situation! Cozy sweater on, slippers and a blanket. Try to wait until it is really to cold. Just wanted to say you two make me happy. Thanks for your videos!

[@jacquelinejansen5209]

We are blanket people as well. Heather stays below 18 degrees.

[@chewynettles7911]

Good that you guys are back. I really missed you!

[@Travis-L6E]

christmas is similar where i'm at in Germany to the netherlands. I love the chrismas markets in winter!

[@mariadebake5483]

Nice to see you both back again!

[@IesKorpershoek]

Keep going, you make me feel so good. Happy Holidays.

[@vincenzodigrande2070]

All my neighbours are from warmer climates, so I thank them for putting up their heating, so I barely have to. 😂

[@eobi-edobi4275]

hi guys, great video again, love to see you guys have fun here during the holydays. i remember when i went to visit my relatives in the states. always i brought chocolade letters for them , they loved it.

[@mereyemsuzanne8635]

My heater stands on 24 *C all year around... Amsterdam the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@loessturkenboom7575]

I hate a cold livingroom so I put the heater on 22-23 c. No sweaters or blankets. But the bedroom must be cold and de windows always open. I’m with Eric.

[@Maya9396]

Already ate 4 letters😋 Droste is my favorite.

[@gerhard6105]

Droste is the Dutch nr 1 🥇in chocolate. Not only because it originates from my city Haarlem but also it is of the best quality. Nearby was the chocolate factory called Union Chocolade. During the Hongerwinter 1944/1945, that was one of the places where people could get their food ( gaarkeuken). My mother told me, she is from 1937 and still alive.

[@biancawichard4057]

i turn on the heat when i start shivering after putting on a vest or thick sweater and cover myself in a blanket. than i turn on the heat high and when the radiator is hot i turn down the heat again. i aolso keep my heat up with hot drinks (coffee, tea broth, hot chocolate and glühwein are great for it) this is what us dutchies do. enjoy the hollidays guys

[@borg1964]

My thermostat is set on 19 degrees in the living room and 20 degrees in the bathroom. So the floor heating will automatically warm up when needed. I don’t turn it down fir the night because floor heating is more economic at a fixed temperature. By the way, you forgot to mention ‘gevulde speculaas’, my absolute favorite😋😊

[@rinynewton8297]

I turn the heat on when it's cold ...and a blanket to!! Turn it of at least 1 hour before bedtime and don't forget to open the bedroom window a little. Healthy night of sleep. Nice video and I am so happy to see you both again. Missed you loads.

[@enkuzen]

I'm with Erik. I turn the heat on when it's getting cold. 😊 That Oliebollen stand is expensive compared to the one over here in my town. 😮

[@PeterReesvan]

Love the positive vibes of your videos! I’m with Tammy on the heat situation, keep the temperature at 18, and put on warm clothes and blankets

[@jennienoppers210]

The christmas tree is way to early! I turn up the heat during the day when it gets around 18 degrees in my livingroom!

[@gnagtegaal]

I realy like your video's they make me appreciate more for living in the Netherlands and being Dutch. Nice to see how you guys love it here.

[@TheJudirt]

I love you guys! I can't wait for your family to move to the Netherlands, and you can celebrate the holidays together!

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

That's so nice...thank you.

[@davidfaasse9697]

oooooo Erik, I have bad news for you. the livingroom you may heat til 17 a 18 degrees. But the bedroom...... window on ventilation stand and no heating al year long... sleepwith eaxtra dekbed, and flanel sheets. Good night, sleep well. 😊😊😴

[@EchtWellOss]

Turn the heat on when it's below 18 degrees and turn it off about an hour before going to bed ;-) And as Tammy says, put on a sweater!! Preferably wool, 'cause that is really warm and comfy. I moved from the Netherlands (born in Rotterdam) to the middle of France 3 years ago. No heating here, just a woodstove which takes a while before it's fired up.

[@aislingbooks]

Ik heb ook je kanaal bekeken en vind je video leuk over hoe je met de vinger op bepaalde delen van het gezicht, de borst en onder de arm tikt om spanning los te laten. Leuk - bedankt

[@EchtWellOss]

dankje! @@aislingbooks dat heeft het potentieel wat de naam belooft. emotionele vrijheid. M.i.het toppunt van vrijheid ;-)

[@MagereHein]

Sinterklaas, wie kent 'm niet? En natuurlijk Zwarte Piet. Oh dear, now I said it. Taai taai taai-taai-taai-taai, pepernoten, pepernoten, pepernoten, pepernoten! Lovely video again!🎉🥳

[@andrevanginkel9951]

Glad to see you'r back and enjoying all the good things :-) Hope to see T&T back soon too.

[@xippix1]

Welcome back! ❤

[@tonnekevankan7512]

In the like , 50's , the kruidnoten + pepernoten + choc.letters and lots more 'Santa-candy' arrived in the shops just about before Santa came to our country ... these days , it starts at the end of July ?!!! 🙄😵‍💫 Way too long for children to wait for Sinterklaas to arrive ! 😖😶 And Christmas trees, ornaments, came after Sint had left again (6th of december) just saying, shops / people are going crazy these days.... Nevertheless , enjoy your holidays !👍🎅🌲🤗

[@peterang6912]

Not so, first christmas stuff are in October in the shops, sinterklaas stuff are in augustus,september in the shops..

[@Brera011]

Missed the both of you. Glad to see you're back/

[@christophedejonge918]

Chocolate 'kruidnoten' are a pretty new phenomenon. Started like 5 years ago. Before, they existed, but rare.

[@wortelsorbet]

Heating: During the day when the temperature in the living room drops below 18 degrees C. In the night: below 15 degrees.

[@reindervantil2582]

When temperatures in my living room goes under 20°C I turn the heat on. I find 21°C pleasant in the autumn, winter and spring

[@corjp]

Great show again guys , 2 thumbs up 👍👍

[@Dutchbelg3]

So nice to see you 2 again! The last quarter of the year life is good in the Netherlands! So many delicious traditional foods! My love goes to the "dikke speculaas brokken" and the "banketstaven" which needs to be heated to be best! And do you like "marsepein"?

[@barbaraout5038]

So nice you're back! Welkom terug!

[@freedom2804]

Hoi allebei, fijn om jullie weer te zien. Ik ben een grote fan en help jullie bij Nederlands lezen 😅. Fijne dag verder, groetjes Petra

[@MartinWebNatures]

Love your video. Glad to see you back and looking well.The year is going fast. First Christmas in other house after 30 years. Every holiday is first time..

[@toaojjc]

Good to see you guys again!

[@SvanderHoek]

Heater goes on when it's below 18 5 degrees. But at night it's off, because blankets! You are right! 😊

[@r.vandijk2458]

Nice to see you again. I start turning the heat on when it gets below 19 Celsius. Put it on 20 C during the evening or day in the weekends. I turn it down to 15 or 16 about an hour before I go to sleep, unless I forget. I do like my bedroom cold though and never have any heating on in the bedroom and usually have a window open all night and day.

[@jeroenbritsia]

Our apartment in the east of the Netherlands is neatly isolated. We hardly ever have to turn on the heat. Our downstairs neighbors provide floorheating and my upstairs neighbor and our windowscreens provides us shielding from the sun. No need for airconditioning. Throughout all of the Netherlands new buildings are build energy efficient.

[@janwielklem]

We turn on the heat when the living room gets below 18c at daytime

[@Hrn250]

Your view of our country and our customs always makes me happy. about the heating ... when it is 17 degrees and colder, at a temperature of 19 / 20 degrees. We really don't sit on the couch with a blanket, but we do dress a bit warmer.

[@ewaldhouba]

About the heat: I only heat my livingroom (the only room that is heated) when it gets below 16-17 degrees celcius. When it is 17 or up I only wear a t-shirt. Below that I wil first put on a sweater and when that is not sufficient I will heat up my room to about 17 degrees. At night I sleep in my unheated bedroom with two opposite windows open (always!) and adapt the amount of blankets to the temperature. I do have an electric blanket that is automatically switching on a timer on low to medium to warm my feet somewhat though.

[@Haroekoe]

Hi there, I am a hardliner... I hadn't had my heater on last winter. I simply put on more textile... The oliebollen stands pop up, right after the haring carts disappear from the streets. So one moment you eat haring, then you eat oliebollen. The vendor you showed has been winning several years now. The cart belonged to the female's family; her boyfriend is Moroccan, but he comes from a bakers family as well. I know because it was displayed a couple of years in our local newspaper. It's near my house. When I worked in Rotterdam City Center I would bring bags to give to my coworkers. Nowadays I work in Amsterdam, but not on a daily basis, so I don't by them as often in bulk. But on 31 December... Yes, then I do.

[@xrp-roadrunner6355]

Shining happy people!

[@Vanoux2007]

Turned the heater on, I live in a very well insulated home. One vote for Eric. Bedroom is cool, extra blankets are there, score for Tammy as well! Loved this video, well done.

[@pim1234]

I put on the heater when you are feeling cold, even if it is min the middle of the summer !

[@Barnemans55]

I turn up the heat when it's freezing cold. When it starts to get colder you have to get used at the lower temperatures. Wear a sweater, vest and use a cosy blanket. So I agree with Tammy

[@theooppie9615]

Fijne avond, hoi hoi🙂

[@philsarkol6443]

I love to see you both having fun and that anticipation for the sinterklaas and christmas time. It is allmost that time of the year...and to see you both is like the kick-off. The christmas lights are allready up in some cities...and I am indeed looking forward to buy oliebollen and wafels, as I take it with me whenever I go on a visit. I am curious how your "life in the Netherlands" videos are being perceived in the states, with your family and friends. Your enthousiasm about our little country must spark some interest for sure. Keep up the good work ..love and greetings..Phil!!

[@FransvandeKamp]

Good to see you back I love your videos. I hope T&T are well and will be back too soon.

[@romo9122]

I turn on the heat when wool socks over my "normal" socks and my oversized fleece hoodie don't cut it anymore.😊

[@henkpietersma7521]

Hi folks, I turn the heat on only when I am home for several hours and the temperature is lower than 17°C (+/- 63°F). Of course the first solution to cold is dressing against it. Either a blanket of a warm sweater. Typically my thermostat is set at 15°C (+/- 59°F) and when I stay home less than 1 hour I don't turn the temperature up, regardless if it feels quite cold. 🙂

[@wilmaswagerman6355]

Welcome back, i missed you. I am living in spain now, but was born in Rotterdam. Your videos keep me up to date. The only thing i miss is oliebollen. You just the heater on when you feel cold, that's what we did. Enjoy the holidays.

[@catharinaforbes-boeren82]

Love you guys !😂

[@winnypeters4176]

Definitely with Tammy, no need for heaters until you freeze

[@mattgiant8836]

What a great intro hahaha! I really hate Christmas, but I love you guys.

[@lisettem1891]

Just ordered the letters for our Kerst in Seattle😊 🎄

[@liesbethmeijer5173]

So lovely to see you discuss our traditions with fresh eyes! My granny used to give me a chocoladeletter E (Elizabeth) because she was convinced that an E contained more chocolade than an L (Liesbeth). We always received one in our shoe, which we put with a carrot (for Sinterklaas's horse) at the front door the night before.

[@sigrunwestrus68]

I come from a much colder climate (Norway) then The Netherlands, but have now lived in The Netherlands for years and years. In Norway we have a saying; there is no bad weather only bad clothing and yes,- that's partly true. Being outside on a cold winterday, you can fix a lot with good clothing, but...there is one thing Norwegians don't accept and that is being cold at home. I'm afraid I never got used to the Dutch 'suffering' at home temperatuur. As soon as my thermostaat shows less then 21 degrees the heather goes on! Eric! I'm with you! 😄

[@flower_power]

Agree, but I changed it to 19,5-20 degrees due to the prices. So sooner an thicker sweater or a blanket on the coach

[@dorisveeken5354]

Same. I'm also from the North (Estonia) so I don't mind cold weather at all. But I refuse to freeze in my own home. The temperature depends a bit on the humidity level, around 20C is best though. And I've already gone down from my preferred 22C😅

[@LennyPane78]

You're right, I hate being in my wonderful home and it's cold, nope! I want to be comfortable😊

[@DennisLongstream]

Isn't it just a matter of what you allow yourself to get used to? You can easily get used to a room temperature of a maximum of 19 degrees. It just takes a little while. Saves you a lot in your wallet!

[@conniemendeszoon9789]

Yes my heat on the moment the house start to feel cold

[@vincentavezaat]

I turned the heating on at 22 degrees as I like a temperature of 21,5 degrees or higher.

[@wimvandenhof4131]

You made me smile again, good luck with the diet afther new years eve ( btw i am dutch)

[@kaatjeboter1]

No my heater is on since last week. And it’s going to stay on.

[@SmokingBill1]

I yurn on the heat when there are polarbears in the street

[@johannavanh1247]

Yep use a blanket. Heat only from december but low:p

[@TweetyLTWG]

I turn on the heat if it gets colder at home below 17 and turn it up to 19.5 max

[@spinshade]

I have used the heater twice last week. I am with Eric on this one!

[@petrabankeman8141]

Team Tammy here, below 17 °c we put on the heater

[@macbosch64]

Really missed you, glad to see that you are oke! The heating is about 19degrees C , I use a thicker cardigan or a blanket ( I am one of the three that agrees with Tammy 😂😂) ….and omg how many oliebollen did you eat already? Great video again

[@misspoes8362]

It also depends on how you live, terraced house, detached house, apartment, we turn the heating on when it is below 19 degrees. Greetings from the south of The Netherlands

[@mariskatelefoon]

I turn on the heat when it is 17° indoors. Before that, I got a warm sweater or blanket 😊

[@gianmartina]

We'll turn on the heat when it gets below 18°C. And only downstairs in the living room. Otherwise we use a cosy blanket, light some candles and wear a sweater

[@fionaalgera3391]

If the temperature inside drops below 19 degrees celcius the heat goes on. I keep my floor heating on 19. I usually turn the thermostat on 19 at the beginning of October and don’t touch it again till April. Didn’t have to use a lot of natural gas for heating this October. Just on one or two nights.

[@Tykatyk]

And the general winter yell a lot of us grew up with is: 'Doe die deur dicht!' Or the abbreviated version: 'Deur dicht!'. The latter yelled louder being the repeat (repeat, repeat..) version. You know, because we were teenagers back then.

[@Denkna]

Nice tou see you!!! I follow you for a while. I realy like you like the Netherlands! Winter is coming, yes! Nice that you like the Dutch cuisine!!

[@j0de0Brabander]

FYI : Talking Central Heating (nat gas) min 12 C to prevent freezing troubles at night. When in house temp gets below 18 C half hour Central Heating. For every time else I've got infra red electric heat panels up to 20 C. It maybe a bit complicated but very energy(bill) efficient. Os bin zuunig !

[@corneystam]

In the north of the Netherlands is a place called Zuidlaren. And every year, at the 3rd Tuesday of oktober there is a horsefair/market called "Zuidlaardermarkt" it's hundreds of years old. And the rule there is that you can fire up your heater after the "Zuidlaardermarkt ". So that was last week. Which means you can put up your heater. But being Dutch you don't heat up a lot, bit wear layers of clothing like underwear, shirts and and on top a Sweater. So 18°C or 19°C will do in house.

[@nadinepeverelli8124]

Our heating is turned on as late as possible first the warm sweater and the blankets I have a well-insulated house and when the heating comes on it is only in the living room and that is actually just to save as much as possible on costs because if you are also warm with a blanket, it costs nothing

[@Philyra86]

This dutchie refuses to sit in the cold. So any time it's cold inside, i'll crank up the heater. Especially during the night.

[@EP65]

Love your videos. Glad that you give this positive insight, not that I need to apologize for being Dutch. Just the way it is. But the winter holiday season is the most popular. It gives some kind of peace and coseyness, enjoying the seasons treats as you presented. And yes, Glühwein is the best for creating that warm feeling. 😊 Cheers 👍✌

[@deltaladder]

Living now in Canada for a mostly two years... what I miss also is the marsepein. In all forms and colours. Furthermore... Thanks for the nice episodes you bring every time!

[@RiaVersteeg]

Hi, you have to find a Dutch deli, I buy marsepein (bars with chocolat around them)every year. Also they have a lot of other dutch stuff......

[@auntclaudia]

I turn the heat on when it gets below 18 degrees Celcius in my living room and keep it at 18.

[@TheTeliya]

Yes, you took a break. I haven't seen you in a while!!

[@johanbilder571]

Heater on when it's cold !

[@AyaaChann]

Great video :). The heating goes on when it gets to cold. If you can still have the door a bit open for fresh air, you dont put in on. Right now it is a little bit chilly with the door open but you can wear a jumper or something extra. When you wear a jumper, the door is closed and its still chilly/ cold, you put on the heater. My father resently put on the floor heating at a low level. I still sleep with the window open. Its not the time for the heating to go on yet.

[@buzzmannl]

19,5 it's on

[@Pannekoek.]

I do not turn on the heat unless the temp goes beneath 15 degrees C. I put on a sweater and/or sit under a blanket to keep warm. And if it is still to cold it means I'm not moving enough. So it is a great reminder to get some exercise or housework in.

[@Habs2802]

17C, anything above that is an extra sweater/blanket.

[@martiekr]

Temperature in our bedroom is set to 13 degree C minimum. You put blankets on the bed to stay warm.

[@koenliem]

I turn it on when it is below 18 degrees. An hour before going to brd the heat is turned off.

[@MichielGroenewegen]

17°C indoor.

[@erikmulder2574]

The heating goes up when I get cold, mostly that is when it is 18-19 degrees inside and I am not moving (hanging on the sofa). The heat goes to 20 and when I think it is comfortable the heat goes back to 16. Before it cools down, I am in bed anyway.

[@ThePinkPearll]

I try not to use my heating at all but 17.5 is the highest i go in dire situation lol😅 keep up the good work Tammy!