traditionally dutch! THE SECOND DAY OF DUTCH CHRISTMAS
Most people in the Netherlands celebrate Christmas Eve on 24 December and Christmas Day on 25 December. However, for the Dutch, one day of Christmas is simply not enough. They also celebrate Second Christmas Day on 26 December.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that the Netherlands has two Christmas Days. So why do Dutch people celebrate Christmas for an extra day?
Interestingly, there used to be even more Christmas Days. In the past, Dutch people also celebrated a Third Christmas Day and a Fourth Christmas Day. These were official holidays during which people were not allowed to work.
During the early centuries of Christianity, many older winter festivals, such as Yule and Midwinter celebrations, gradually became part of the Christmas season. Over time, different Christmas Days became associated with different traditions and saints. Second Christmas Day, for example, was linked to Saint Stephen, who is recognised as the first Christian martyr.
In 813, the Council of Mainz officially declared that Christmas should be celebrated over four days, with each day having its own meaning:
First Christmas Day – celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Second Christmas Day – traditionally associated with farmers and animals. In some areas, horses were ridden through towns to ensure good health and prosperity for the coming year.
Third Christmas Day – dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist.
Fourth Christmas Day – traditionally focused on celebrations for children.
Even for the Dutch, however, four Christmas Days eventually proved to be a little too much! Over time, the number of official Christmas holidays was reduced to two.
Second Christmas Day almost disappeared as well, but the church successfully argued for it to remain. This allowed people to attend church on two days, similar to other important Christian holidays such as Easter and Pentecost.
Woordenschat
To help you prepare for Christmas you should learn the below words!
Nederlands |
Engels |
| De kerst | (the) Christmas |
| Kerstmis | Christmas |
| De kerstavond | The Christmas Eve |
| Het kerstfeest | The Christmas celebration |
| Eerste Kerstdag | First Christmas Day |
| Tweede Kerstdag | Second Christmas Day |
| Derde Kerstdag | Third Christmas Day |
| Vierde Kerstdag | Fourth Christmas Day |
| Het cadeautje | The present / Gift |
| De kerstboom | The Christmas tree |
| De familie | The family |
| Het kerstdiner | The Christmas dinner |
Want to learn these and other Kerstmis words with our vocabulary course on Memrise
HOW DO DUTCH PEOPLE CELEBRATE SECOND CHRISTMAS DAY?
Today, most Dutch people no longer celebrate the religious origins of Second Christmas Day.
Some people spend the day shopping, visiting Christmas markets or going for a winter walk. However, for many families, Second Christmas Day is simply an extension of the Christmas celebrations.
It is very common to spend Christmas Day with one side of the family and Second Christmas Day with the other side. For example, many people celebrate Christmas Day with their own family and spend Second Christmas Day with their in-laws.
For Dutch families, Christmas is mainly about spending time together, enjoying good food and creating happy memories.
While some children may receive a few presents under the Christmas tree, gift-giving is far less important than it is during Sinterklaas.
The true focus of Christmas in the Netherlands is family, togetherness and enjoying a festive meal with the people you love.
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THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
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TWAALF DAGEN VOOR KERST (DUTCH STORY BOOK)
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Bobbi viert kerst(dutch story book)
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Ik haat kerst t-shirt
THE DUTCH CHRISTMAS DINNER – GOURMETTEN
Many Dutch families celebrate Christmas dinner with a popular tradition known as gourmetten.
During a gourmet evening, family and friends sit around a small table grill or hotplate. Everyone prepares their own food using small pans and cooking surfaces.
People often cook a variety of foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, omelettes, melted cheese, toasted bread and even miniature pancakes.
One of the reasons gourmetten is so popular is that nobody has to spend the entire evening alone in the kitchen. Instead, everyone cooks together at the table while talking, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
For many Dutch families, gourmetten has become one of the most important and enjoyable parts of Christmas.
Just be careful — someone may try to steal your food from the grill!
Source:De Speld
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