The Netherlands

Amsterdam

There are plenty of options in Amsterdam throughout December. The hands-down favourite with the mamas is the ever-popular Westergasfabriek Funky Xmas Market (doesn’t the name say it all?) on 21 December 2025, showcasing lots of local foodies and homemade crafts in full Amsterdam-style.

For additional information on holiday offerings in the city, check this full list of Amsterdam’s Christmas markets and festivals.

And make sure you don’t miss out on any of this month’s festive happenings for families in Amsterdam by signing up to the Amsterdam Mamas’ newsletter.

Haarlem

One of the largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands, the Kerstmarkt Haarlem has a guaranteed spot in the seasonal top 5. As a backdrop to the hundreds of stalls in the picturesque square, there are live choirs singing Christmas carols.

If you are available in the weekend of 12 till 14 December and need no further arguments, then just visit the official website to get all the infomation on how to get there: approximately 20 minutes by train or by car from Amsterdam.

The Hague

The tenth edition of The Royal Christmas Fair will once again be hosted at Lange Voorhout from 4 till 23 December. With more than 80 Christmas stalls, a genuine and dedicated children’s fair, thousands of lights and an abundance of heated wine served in pfandbechers this is a Christmas fair that will appeal to the imaginations of both young and old alike.

The Hague is approximately one hour from Amsterdam by car. Regular trains leave from Amsterdam Central station or Schiphol Airport. Check the NS website for details.

Maastricht

Located on the Vrijthof, Maastricht’s charming Christmas market is open from 28 November – 29 December and features plenty of stalls, an ice rink and carousel. With gluhwein and oliebollen galore, you’ll have a great time.

Reaching Maastricht by car takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes. Travelling by train takes around 2 hours 30 minutes on ICE. Check the NS website for details.

Valkenburg

This charming town in South Limburg offers a unique Christmas experience – markets in caves! Visit the Velvet Cave and Municipal Cave from 14 November till 30 December for all the festive happenings whilst the Wilhelmina Caves are home to the sand sculpture nativity scene.

Valkenburg is a 2.5 hour drive from Amsterdam. It can also be reached by NS train via Maastricht. Valkenburg station is around 15 minutes’ walk from the centre. See the NS website for more details. 

Germany​

Köln (Cologne)

Perhaps the most popular of Germany’s Christmas markets, Cologne offers several different markets spread throughout the city from the beautiful Old Market in front of the Town Hall to the Market of Fairytales on the Rudolfplatz. Cologne attracts thousands of visitors to its markets, so The Mamas advise to visit during the week when it is less busy. The Christmas markets are open from 17 November till 23 December.

Cologne is around a 3 hour drive from Amsterdam. You can also take the ICE train straight through, which takes the same amount of time.

Düsseldorf

From late November until the end of December, Düsseldorf offers a number of charming and atmospheric Christmas markets throughout the city from 20 November till 30 December.

Düsseldorf is around a 2 hour and 40 minute drive from Amsterdam. You can also get there in a little over 2 hours by travelling by ICE train.

Aachen

Aachen offers a more intimate affair around the Market Place and Katschhof. Enjoy mulled wine, ginger bread and spekulatius (spiced biscuits) as you peruse the many craft and food stalls from 21 November till 23 December.

Aachen is a 3 hour drive from Amsterdam. Alternatively, it can be reached by train in 3.5 hours, with 2 changes. Check the NS website for more details.

Osnabrück

Considered one of the prettiest Christmas markets, the Osnabrück Christmas Market offers kids the thrill of meeting St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) every afternoon. Try the local Käsegriller sausage as you wander around the market. It is set around the town hall, Marienkirche and the Cathedral from 24 November till 22 December.

You can reach Osnabrück in 2 hours and 45 minutes by car or in 3.5 hours by ICE train.

Münster

The picturesque town of Münster offers delightful Christmas markets with jewellery, high-quality craftsmanship, toys, lights, delights, and of course, warm, aromatic mulled wine from 24 November till 23 December.

You can reach Münster by car in approximately 3 hours or by train with NS International.

This list has been compiled by our editors from the recommendations of our members on the Amsterdam Mamas Facebook group and has been updated for 2025.

photo credit: Pixabay

The post Our Favourite Christmas Markets 2025 appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Top Trees

Every year, the conversation around the most sustainable Christmas tree reignites. While artificial trees might seem environmentally friendly due to their reusability, the reality is more complex.

• A real tree, if disposed of responsibly (e.g., chipped for mulch or used as firewood), has a carbon footprint of about 3.5 kg of CO₂ over its lifecycle. If left to decompose in a landfill, this footprint jumps to 16 kg of CO₂ due to methane emissions.
• By contrast, an artificial tree’s production and disposal create a much higher footprint—around 40 kg of CO₂—requiring many years of use to rival the environmental impact of a real tree. Nearly 90% of them are shipped across the world from China and are made with plastic which is toxic and often ends up in landfills.

When sustainably grown (without pesticides) and recycled properly, real trees are the eco-friendlier option. Beyond their low environmental impact, tree plantations also provide habitats for various species.

In Amsterdam, the municipality makes it easy to dispose of Christmas trees sustainably. With 2,000 collection points across the city, residents can drop off their trees between December 27 and January 19. These are then turned into compost, closing the loop on tree waste. Find your nearest collection point on the municipality’s official website.

There are also even more sustainable ways to enjoy a Christmas tree:

1. Potted Trees: Purchase a living tree in a pot and reuse it every year. Not only does this reduce your carbon footprint, but the tree continues to absorb CO₂ throughout its life.
2. Rent a Tree: Services like Kerstboom.nu allow you to rent a tree that is replanted after the holidays.
3. Adopt a Tree: Programs like Adopteer Een Kerstboom provide an option to “adopt” a tree for reuse, combining the joy of a real tree with sustainable practices.
4. Skip the Tree: Create a festive atmosphere using natural, reusable materials—garlands of greenery, handmade wreaths, or even a creative wall display.
5. Use a home plant you already have and decorate it!
6. Forage for an already fallen branch, bring it home and use it as tree. Post Christmas you can return it to the woods and use it again for Easter as an Easter tak.

(Don’t) Shop till you drop

The Holiday season (most often) comes with a frenzy of shopping, but a circular approach can bring meaning and sustainability to your celebrations. If you’re new to these ideas, check out our recent article on The Circular Path to Sustainability, which offers practical tips on adopting circular principles in everyday life. Applying these ideas during Christmas can make your celebrations more meaningful and eco-conscious:

• Second-Hand Items: Surveys show that nearly half of the respondents believe the stigma around second-hand gifting is fading, and that platforms like Marktplaats and thrift stores (kringloop winkels) in Amsterdam offer pre-loved treasures. This approach is also certainly budget friendlier..
• Experience Gifts: If second-hand gifting isn’t your style, consider tickets to a museum like the NEMO Science Museum or an ice-skating pass for the festive rink in Museumplein. An ‘experience gift’, can be shared together and create lasting memories without producing waste.
• Mindful Consumption: Avoid the “buy-now” trap. (Try the documentary The True Cost, to see how overconsumption has hidden environmental and social costs.)
• DIY Décor: Get creative with the kids! Use natural elements like pinecones, dried oranges, and paper chains to craft unique decorations.
• Recycled Lights: Use LED lights, which are energy-efficient and long-lasting, reducing the need for replacements next year.
• Second-Hand Ornaments: Hunt for unique, vintage ornaments in Amsterdam’s thrift stores or markets for make a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree this year!

By rethinking your Christmas trees, Christmas gifts, and Christmas decorations, you can celebrate a Christmas that’s truly giving ‘joy to the world’.

The post I’m dreaming of a ‘green’ Christmas appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

While many people are putting finishing touches to their Christmas trees, hanging up lights, and buying presents, Jewish people are celebrating Chanukah (or Hanukkah), The Festival of Lights. It’s an eight-day holiday held on the Hebrew date of 25 Kislev, and because the Hebrew calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the dates of Jewish holidays according to the Gregorian calendar change each year. This means that Chanukah can start at the end of November, or late December. Chanukah has been a Jewish holiday for thousands of years but has also been added to the list of ‘intangible Dutch Heritage’ holidays compiled by the Netherlands Center for Popular Culture and Intangible Heritage. In English there are two common ways of translating the word from the original Hebrew: Chanukah (the Ch sounds a bit like the Dutch g) or Hanukkah; either spelling is perfectly fine.

This year, 2020, Chanukah starts at sundown on Thursday December 10 and lasts until sundown on Friday December 18.

What Is Chahukah?

In the year 168 BCE, Jerusalem and the Jewish temple had been occupied by the Syrian Greeks, who had outlawed the practice of Judaism. The Maccabees were a small band of Jewish fighters who managed to defeat the Syrian Greeks and reclaim the Jewish temple they had occupied.

Once the temple had been reclaimed, the Maccabees relit the “eternal flame”. Although the one jar of oil that was found in the temple would normally only last for one day, in this case the flame continued to burn for eight days, which was the time it took to secure more oil to keep the flame burning. Hence the famous eight candles.

This is the miracle that is celebrated each year, along with the successful rededication of the temple. The word Chanukah means dedication, referring to the purification and rededication of the temple after the Greek occupation.

How We Celebrate

At the heart of the Chanukah celebration is the nightly lighting of the menorah or chanukiah, a candelabra that holds nine flames, and which is placed in a doorway or window so that people passing can see the lights and remember the story of Chanukah.

On each night of Chanukah, a candle is lit by the shammash (the helper candle), which is used to light the other candles from left to right. On the first night one candle is lit, on the second night, two are lit, and by the eighth night, all eight lights are kindled. Special blessings to thank G-d are said before the lighting, and traditional songs are sung afterwards.

Food and Fun!

Food plays a significant role in Jewish celebrations, and on Chanukah, favourite foods include those fried in oil to remember the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in the temple. These include latkes – pancakes made with potatoes – usually served with apple sauce and sour cream, and sufganiyot – round jam-filled doughnuts that have been deep fried in oil. The latter are extremely similar to oliebollen and show up at the same time of year.

If you want to try some of these traditional foods, here is a list of Kosher shops and restaurants in Amsterdam.

Adults and children also play dreidel, a game with a 4-sided spinning top. Everyone contributes something (chocolate coins, matchsticks etc) to a pot as game tokens, and depending on what letter the dreidel lands, one either takes from the pot or adds to it. When a single player has all the tokens, they are the winner for that round.

Chanukah is also a time for many for giving and receiving, and presents or gelt (money) are typically given.

Chag sameach to all those celebrating this year!

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The kids have started the countdown to Christmas. More and more decorations can be seen in the street. Now is the time to decorate your house front to feel welcome and cosy every time you come home… and make sure that Sinterklaas will find his way to you!

Here are some simple ideas to brighten the dark days and add a smile to you, your family, and everyone passing by your home!

1) Frame Your Window Front with a Christmas Garland

A decorated garland with lights is definitely an eyecatcher and will make your kids happy, every time they come home. The safest and most durable way to do this, is to install weather-resistant yet very discreet wire. Such a simple structure will allow you to fix seasonal decoration and serve a climbing support for roses or other climbing plants.

Natural pine branches do look very nice … in the beginning, but are expensive and will lose their needles fairly quickly. Christmas garlands in artificial pine can be re-used every year and can be bought in various lengths and varieties in most garden centres like Tuincentrum Osdorp, Het Oosten in Aalsmeer or any Praxis or Gamma.

LED garlands for outdoors in any length and colours can be found at garden centres or Action for example. Their cable is so thin that you can connect it through the window on an indoor plug.

You can let your imagination and creativity run wild when decorating the garland. Just be careful if using any glass items; the wind can break them.

2) Decorate a Wreath with Your Kids and Attach It to Your Front Door

This time of year you will find nice evergreen or pine cone at your local florist or at the market that you can decorate together with your kids. On Albert Cuyp market at “Jan De Grote Kleinvakman” you will find ribbons in all varieties and colours with which to decorate your wreath or attach it to your front door, or to hang in your windows or balcony.

3) Transform your Front Door into a Giant Present:

Tie a bow around your front door. You can use a very large ribbon, but even better is to buy some inexpensive fabric (for example party fabric or tulle). There are many fabric shops on Albert Cuyp market, one of our favourite places is N&N Stoffen. Bring the kids, choose your fabric, and grab an oliebol to get you in the holiday spirit!

4) Place a Welcoming Planted Pot Next to Your Entrance

It is always nice to have some flowers in your entrance. Ideal are pots of approx. 50-80 cm high. An easy way to have beautiful plants is to fill the pot with hydrokorrels and plant seasonal flowers or green plants, and perhaps even a small Christmas tree? Why not?

5) Install Planted Window Boxes with Seasonal Easy Care Flowers

For a long lasting welcoming house front, it is always nice to have beautiful flowers and plants in your windows.

Windows boxes can look untidy and not in harmony with the architecture of your house. That is why we recommend installing a fitted weather-resistant wooden plank. They need to be painted in the official Amsterdam colours (Amsterdam white or Amsterdam green).  Perfectly integrated into your façade, they allow you to be totally flexible and change the plants and flowers in your window in every season or whenever you fancy.

Which plants are beautiful at the moment?

• Skimmia: the absolute die-hard and available in all sizes. This evergreen plant typically has white or red flowers, some have nice red berries.
• Cyclamen: exist in beautiful colours from white over red to pink. Tolerate shadow very well, do not like to have wet feet.
• Hellbore: several varieties with white flowers, some special varieties with pink to dark red flowers. Flourishing all winter, give more flowers when you pick out the fainted flowers. While they like humid grounds, they do not like to stand in the water.
• Primroses and pansies add happy colours to your garden, even in winter, but prefer a sunny place.
• Decorative green plants in various shades: hebe, helichrysum, small conifers…

The post 5 Ways to Make Your Home Merry and Bright This Holiday Season appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Tasneem’s sentiments about not skiing ring true—for me. Let me explain!

My legs don’t want to bend left and right in a concerted, synchronised effort. My bum levitates off its axis at the thought of falling onto cold concrete—I mean, snow. Bend at the knees whilst pivoting your body left and right and maintain an upright, coordinated pose? Come on! I am not a flamingo! I am no cheetah!

So I fully understand how one can happily go to a beautiful, ski resort  – the kind where people happily walk about in their OWN ski boots and ski gear, carrying their OWN skis – and have no intentions of hitting a single slope.

Tasneem and I are the same person in this matter. There are plenty of very luxurious, equally exhilarating things to do in a ski resort, whilst the rest of the family are fine falling face-first into the snow, or trying their darndest to keep their four limbs from acting out the YMCA dance.

Come on! I am not a flamingo! I am no cheetah!

*Cheetahs have super flexible spines and limbs. Meanwhile, I am not that blessed.

For the first time in nearly 25 years, I was on the same continent as a very old friend of mine. We were close, but since the late 90s, had not seen each other except through Facebook. Last Christmas she invited us to spend Christmas with her family. She lives in Switzerland. Land of snow-capped mountains. Land of people-with-their-own-ski-gear. Her three children and her husband adore skiing, but my friend … not so much. 

So she introduced me to the delights of ‘Not-skiing, Not-sorry’. In Montreux. The prettiest town since sliced bread.

Things to do Whilst Not Skiing:

Whilst the others were splaying out all their irreplaceable limbs with only chopsticks for support, we enjoyed the following delights:

Read our Kindle. Alone. Unhampered by “I’m hungry, Mum”, “I’m bored, Mum”, “Can I buy this [insert name of the-latest-pink thing], Mum?”

Drink mulled wine. Again… undisturbed by little people, shrill voices.

Eat! Savour freshly prepared, super yummy steak tartares, whilst sipping white wine. Without having to simultaneously eagle-eye a little person’s attempt to drink hot chocolate successfully.

People-Watch! Behind those sunglasses, rated for ski-slopes… you can ogle as much as you want.

Spa! Of this I did not partake personally, although there were certainly plenty of signs for places that allow you to bask in warmth while enjoying the serenity of limbs being exactly where they ought to be.

This, I argue, is good chops. This, I argue, is good reason to happily chug along to a ski-slope, happily enter the ski resorts, sans clumpy gear. Happy not skiing.

* For those who have mastered skiing, this is an excellent list of family-friendly ski resorts compiled by Amsterdam Mamas.

Photo credits: Main banner from Freepik, reading image from Freepik, drinking image from Freepik, spa image from Pixabay, ski fail image from Pixabay

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How much more Dutch can I be if I manage to do this AND survive? 

The idea of jumping in icy water on New Year’s Day, surrounded by thousands of people and be filmed for public television in my bathing suit, never appealed to me. But, according to the Dutch Iceman Wim Hof, cold exposure, along with meditation and breathing exercises, relieves stress, depression and improves your mental health. So, when registration for the 2020 Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive) popped up on my Facebook page, I could not resist. How much more Dutch can I be if I manage to do this AND survive? And what a cold, I mean cool, way to welcome the new decade. I signed up for the 61st edition of the Zandvoort Nieuwjaarsduik, along with 4500 other fans. I even rallied my family to join, but they unfortunately did not share my enthusiasm. My teenager quipped, “You’re going to catch a cold and be sick, Mum”, and my other child agreed, “It’s way too cold!”.  None of my Dutch in-laws had done it. “You’re very brave! “, they all responded. During the Christmas holidays, eager to drum up some support, I chatted to two Dutch friends, who were immediately keen. “What a great way to start the New Year!”, they enthused. Within two weeks, word got around. We were a group of four adults and three teenagers (not mine, unfortunately) ready to take the freezing plunge.

On 1st January 2020, a total of 60000 people took part, across 229 locations.

On New Year’s Day, we arrived around noon at Beach Club Tien in Zandvoort, which gave us just enough time to recover from New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Nieuwejaarsduik was not scheduled until 14:00. We first collected our UNOX (official supporters) hats and stayed warm with hot drinks, until the 13:45 musical warm-up on the beach started. We positioned ourselves in the middle of the crowd close to the starting line. The trick was to slowly undress while dancing, to retain body heat for as long as possible. When the gong went, I just ran into the water and kept going until the water reached my neck, and then ran back to my spot on the beach, joining the choir of screams, squeals and laughter. With hindsight, the worst part of the experience was getting numb feet on the icy cold sand. Running back and forth to the sea, and dipping myself in four degrees water, was exhilarating. Dressing as quickly as possible, with wet, sandy feet, while holding a towel with cold, numb fingers felt a bit clumsy, but I did it. The cherry on the cake: the hearty erwtensoep (pea and sausage soup) and the Duikheld (Diving Hero) certificate from UNOX. Such an invigorating experience to start the new decade was, for me, better than 1000 new resolutions. Unforgettable!

“What a great way to start the New Year!”

Practical Tips

• Travel by train to Zandvoort-aan-Zee, and then walk for 10 minutes to Beach Club Tien.
• If you arrive by car, there are parking spaces on the street and open-air parking close by.
  • Parking Watertoren; Rob’s Parkeerservice – €5 cash for the dive/ €7,50 per day
• Kindly ask someone to join you to look after your clothes and belongings on the beach. Make a mental note of where that person stands.
• For the truly courageous, naked New Year Dives also exist!
• Be selfish: choose a spot in the middle of the crowd and avoid the edges where the cold wind blows harder, although the ring of spectators around also provides protection.
• Do not take young children, there were hardly any. Keep your teenagers close to you.
• No prior training with icy cold showers at home is required if you’re running into the water. However, if you have to jump into a canal or a lake, then prepare, the week before, with a cold shower every day.
• Only take part in the Dive if you feel fit enough.
• It is strongly advised not to plunge headfirst into the water.
• Wear your UNOX hat, it looks great and really helps to keep your head warm. More importantly, these bright orange hats make you more visible to the life-and-coastguards on duty.

Fun Facts

The tradition of swimming in icy cold water on New Year’s Day originated in Canada. On 1st January 1920,  Peter Pantages, a Greek immigrant, convinced his friends to plunge into the freezing Vancouver waters. This bold act inaugurated the Polar Bear Swim tradition. While Polar Bear Swims are held to celebrate the new year in Canada, they often serve to raise money for charities in the United States. The first Nieuwjaarsduik took place in Zandvoort in 1960 and was initiated by Ok van Batenburg, a swimming coach, testing the icy seawater on the second Christmas day of 1959. A year later, on New Year’s Day, 28 people ran into the water. The now-famous Scheveningen Nieuwjaarsduik at Den Haag was started in 1965, by Jan van Scheijndel, a Dutch marathon swimmer who crossed the English Channel, along with seven other participants. New Year’s Day Dives are now organized in many countries around the world but The Netherlands has the most Nieuwjaarsduik sites and the most significant number of participants. On 1st January 2020, a total of 60,000 people took part, across 229 locations. Scheveningen draws a record number of participants, with somewhere between 7000 and 10,000 running into the sea each year.

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In the Netherlands, the winters tend to be long, wet, cold, and gray. For me, that’s fine; I prefer the cool to the heat. My favourite days are those spent alone in my home, rain falling outside; there’s loads to do, but all within the confines of my orchids, my teas and my music. (#homebody)

I am originally from Malaysia where there are two seasons: humid/no-rain/hot and humid/loads-of-rain/hot. Basically it’s hot and sticky. Australia, where I spent my early adulthood, introduced me to seasonal gardening, which I grew to enjoy very much. I learned best-practices and tips to coax plants to reward my attention with blooms and fruit from the mother-in-law and the gardening gurus in Australia.

Now, living in Amsterdam, I am finding more opportunities to build upon my existing knowledge.

For instance, I learned that the hortensia (hydrangea) in the Netherlands do not need pruning to offer up a profusion of blooms. In Australia, gardeners know that to encourage best growth for the coming year, you arm yourself with pruners, a wheelbarrow and a large glass of red wine in autumn (April/May).  Half an hour later, your verdant hydrangea bushes with late season blooms are reduced by over half their previous size and now resemble a bunch of sticks that were attacked by a toddler with a pair of scissors. But the (now slightly inebriated) gardener with the shaking hands walks away, knowing their hydrangea is poised for better things next spring/summer.

Pro Tip: go make friends with the older members of your local area who have thriving gardens. They love to educate us ‘young ones’ on life skills like gardening! *

The Winter Garden

Winter is a challenging time for the gardener. Everything appears to be sleeping and the garden looks a bit sad, to say the least, and here in Amsterdam, we don’t even get the constant snow that conceals our plants’ rather sorry apearance, but there is a bright side! I’ve realised that because so much of our housing in Amsterdam is in apartments and off the ground, nurseries and tuinwinkels here offer a very large range of indoor plants. And of course, many outdoor plants survive the winter with some forethought prep.

OUTDOORS

Olive standards are pretty. The leaves can be protected, although some leaf loss is unavoidable. So point one to olives! But frost needs to be avoided so place them against the wall or under a canopy. The leaves will naturally turn to face and reach for the sun, so the potted plants need to be rotated every few months to ensure equal growth all around. In the winter, if you do not have frost cover, you can purchase lightweight, light-transmitting cheesecloth-canvas to cover the plant. Read more here. 

Hydrangea don’t seem to lose their leaves here in the Netherlands over the winter, but they won’t produce blooms. I find I cannot help but prune and de-head mine though!

Buxus are shrubs with tight, small, green leaves that are predominantly evergreen. These are popular hedge plants and feature most prominently as topiaries, as once they are established, buxus are easily shaped. English buxus grow slowly while the Japanese buxus are faster growers. (Note: I didn’t say they were fast… just faster than slow.)

Camellias are evergreen, winter flowering trees. Typically, camellias are short trees, so can be classified as a large bush. They produce a profusion of blooms in winter, and have some frost-resistance. They prefer being in the ground, but if you keep them pruned, narrow camellias can survive for 5-8 years in large pots.

Bamboo provides a handy hedge as a privacy screen in our apartment-filled city. Bamboo is rather winter-hardy and while it can suffer from frost damage, a well established and fertilised plant in the growing months will ensure a quick recovery. Looks best when planted en masse, but be warned, many strains are fast growers and do best planted in large trough pots. I love the soft, whimsical look that the fine, pale green leaves add to soften an outdoor space and hide unsightly fences.

Azaleas are pretty when they’re in flower. They are an early spring bloom too, which is great for container gardens. Remember to remove the dead blooms by hand.

Fatsia is a gorgeous green plant with large green maple-like leaves. They are primarily an indoor plant but will survive outside in the sunniest spot in winter. On patios, they can grow up to 3 metres high and do not require frost cover.

Dusty Miller (silver ragwort) are plants that have attractive silver foliage. These are great to provide contrast to other greens and reds in your garden pots.

Rosemary is really hardy once they’re established and don’t die off in winter. My tips on growing rosemary are to keep them in large container pots. To avoid a mature rosemary plant going woody, trim it often and be quite aggressive. The smaller branches make excellent kebab skewers and the leaves can be dried to add to your cooking.

Thyme is also another herb which will be fine left in container pots in your outdoor balcony. See above.

Salvia/sage is an excellent garnish in pasta dishes, when deep fried. Their pale green-silver foliage is attractive and the bushes are a pretty sight in container pots.

Butterfly bushes (buddleia) produce beautiful blooms of vibrant colour. They attract butterflies and bees are also attracted to the pollen. They are very winter hardy and look superb blooming en masse in the spring/summer months.

INDOORS

Indoors, we can still have our green. And blooms. I have my orchids and my ferns. One day, I hope to boast a 12 meter high fiddle fig leaf plant in the middle of my apartment (just like the one I spotted this past weekend in the atrium at Café​ De Plantage).

Most indoor plants will require a little more watering than normal because homes in Amsterdam tend to be heated for at least some part of the day. I always plunge my finger into the soil. If it’s dry, you’ll need to water.

Orchids. What I tend to do with my orchids in winter is one morning every week, I sit them in the plugged sink and let water pool in the bottom for about 15 minutes. (Remember to remove the plastic bucket that they often come in, from the planter, so that no water pools in the planter).  The health of the orchid is in the roots. Keeping the roots green and plump but not sitting permanently in water is the way to encourage blooms throughout the year.

Other plants (e.g. ferns) prefer to have a little water in the bottom of the planter so that the roots can grow towards the water and take in water when needed. Your local garden shop should be able to advise you on this.

Chinese Money (Pilea peperomioides) plants are nice plants that stay evergreen. They don’t produce flowers, but offer your tabletop bang for your buck with their round, flat, green, wavy and thick leaves. These do not require fastidious watering. I water mine year-round every 10 days.

Banana Palm and Fiddle Fig Leaf are beautiful indoor trees that provide large green leaves. The great thing about plants in this range is that you’re able to fill a corner with interest without doing anything permanent when you’re renting. These plants have an architectural beauty and sculpture to them. Note that they don’t flower or fruit when kept indoors. You’ll also need to water them frequently.

Ferns are pretty space filler. (And they’re great for the environment because each small leaf is a CO2 sucker!).  Sit them in the bottom of the plugged sink with 2-3cm of water. Great for hanging, great for plant stands, great for bathrooms, great for toilets.

Hoya are climbers with medium sized thick, waxy leaves that produce pretty little star-shaped flowers. I’m a big fan of them. The varieties available with blooms are amazing. You can plant them outside, but they do not like frost.

String of Pearls or String of Hearts These sweet little danglers are very trendy at the moment, but they have been a favourite of mine for some time. They thrive best when allowed to dangle down over the side of the pots, so they look spectacular in macrame hanging baskets or hanging pots. String of Pearls are succulents so require minimal watering, while the String of Hearts does require watering once a week. They do not flower, but the green round pearls add so much character, as do the little dark green leaves shaped like hearts.

Disclaimer: This is all from my own plant knowledge, which is clearly not exhaustive and I had to select plants from a long list of possibles for this article.

* Many thanks to Hans Oudmaijer who helped me with this list and added invaluable natice Dutch experience and insights.

Photo credits: All photos © Audrey Coggins

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A great destination for family travel all year round, northern Italy is particularly charming during the Christmas holidays. Beautiful Christmas markets brighten the towns and snow is falling in the higher elevations; it is magical. The fabled Italian love for family and children is also true! Our small daughter was showered with hearty smiles and sweet words: “Bella”, “Bellissima”, “Bimba” greeted us on cobblestoned streets, hiking trails, even while sitting in trattorias (less formal than a ristorante but more formal than an osteria). Speaking of which, Italy’s cuisine is scrumptious, even for the pickiest toddler!

Verona

This beautiful old city is the famous setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Could he ever have imagined his tragic tale of young lovers would be played off the stage as well as on? Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) is crowded with tourists anxious to capture a selfie on her famous balcony and the walls under it are covered with lovers’ scribbles: pledges, promises, wishes, heartache … it’s all there.

As Verona is a small city, you can easily explore it in a day or two. We enjoyed the best pizza of our life at Don Peppe Pizzeria e Trattoria in the huge mall Adigeo (a shopping paradise and very child-friendly: kids’ washbasins, playgrounds and a playroom for kids 3+).

Vicenza

We visited this charming village during a day trip from Verona. It took us about two hours to see this town, including having lunch at one of the local restaurants. Fortunately, as it was the festive season, there were bustling and colourful Christmas markets everywhere.

Pellizzano

In mountainous Pellizzano we decided to try an Agriturismo: a genuine, working farm! It’s a popular thing in Italy, ideal for nature lovers and tourists craving the quiet and serenity of rural life. Our farm accommodation had a wooden interior, a heated bathroom floor, hearty dinners, and smiles.  The highlight though was riding in a two-horse open sleigh! Dashing through the crispy snow surrounded by rolling hills is romantic and peaceful! Sadly, our visit was cut short as there was heavy snow forecasted which could have trapped us in one place if we did not leave before the storm (read about snow tires in Notes below). Be aware that in rural areas not knowing any Italian, communication can be difficult.  Google translate doesn’t always cut it.

Trento

Trento is famous for its Christmas market; try the treccia mochèna (plaited pastry cake) and the polenta brustolada (grilled polenta). Trento also offers two wonderful museums that are great places to escape the cold.

Buonconsiglio Castle Museum

Enjoy ancient frescos, carved ceilings, Egyptian and other collections. Not a lot for the youngest visitors (our daughter was napping in the backpack, fortunately) but older kids may find exploring a castle entertaining!

MUSE Science Museum

This little gem has everything you could wish for a visit with a child: interesting exhibits, themed floors, WC’s with changing facilities and kids toilets, kids play areas, interactive exploration activities for bigger kids and adults, and lectures about the exhibits and artefacts in the museum.

Bolzano and Bozen

These towns are little Austria of  Northern Italy. The architecture, Christmas markets, cuisine; everything looks and feels Austrian. They even speak German here! Grab the opportunity to enjoy typical Austrian pretzels and white sausages without actually leaving Italy.

Street food is a must at the Christmas markets but when it’s cold, sooner or later you’ll need to find a place to warm up and eat something more substantial. The kid-friendly restaurant Aida is easily distinguished from outside by a row of buggies next to the entrance. They don’t have a play corner but do have high chairs and a baby changing facilities.

Riva del Garda

For New Year’s Eve and Day, we found an exceptional place which is reasonably priced: an ancient castle transformed into a  stylish apartment hotel with picturesque views of the mountains and vineyards from all the windows. What could be a better and more romantic place to welcome the New Year? Our accommodation was so snug that we didn’t even feel like leaving that beautiful castle but we ventured out for a couple of walks around the nearby lakes.

Walking around the Lago di Ledro took us about 2.5 hours with our toddler sleeping in the backpack carrier. The lake is at an elevation of 650 meters and it is several degrees colder than in Riva del Garda, with snow and ice all around. On our way we came across several playgrounds, on frozen beaches and in empty camping sites, all the houses and restaurants were either empty or closed. Obviously, this area is geared towards summer holidays.

On New Year’s Eve day we walked for two hours on a trail along Lago di Garda. The lake is huge and exquisite, and walking next to the mist-covered lake is pure pleasure. This trail is popular, even on a cold Winter’s morning.

Ristorante Acetaia Del Balsamico offers beautiful views and delicious food, and its amazingly child-friendly waiters make it even more special. The restaurant offers its own home-made olive oil and 7-year old balsamic vinegar for sale – perfect for gifts.

Notes

• Winter tires cost extra, but as the winter weather can make driving treacherous in the higher elevations, it’s a good idea to request them from your rental agency.
• Eating out in Italy requires some planning, particularly during holidays. Most restaurants are open from 12 pm – 2 pm and then after 7 pm, and on New Year’s Day, only fast food places are open!
• Restaurants normally collect a coperto (cover charge) from every person at the table, including children. It seems strange at first that children pay the service fee but when you look under the table after the meal, you wonder why children don’t pay double!

Looking for family-friendly accommodation in Northern Italy? Consider booking your stay via booking.com/amsterdammamas. Find the perfect accommodation for your family while supporting Amsterdam Mamas at the same time! 

This article is based on a post from Julia Smile’s blog Frogs in the Box.

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Well, they are here, ready or not. Here’s a quick survival guide for the Holidays from the Mamas:

Christmas Markets

A beautiful and beloved tradition in many European cities and towns, Christmas Markets are the perfect way to shop, have fun, and enjoy musical and culinary treats at the same time. Here are some of the Mamas’ favorites.

Christmas Trees

Real or artificial? Whatever way you lean, here’s a quick guide to finding your perfect arboreal companion this Christmas.

Toy Stores

Let’s face it: for most children, Christmas = Toys. Lots of toys. Here are the Mamas’ favourite toy stores in Amsterdam.

Ice Skating

Is there a better way to put all those Christmas cookies to good use? Ice skating is a favorite Dutch pastime, and while the Ice Village on Museumplein is stunningly pretty, don’t limit yourself to just one rink – there are many options!

Throwing a Holiday Party

There’s nothing like hosting a Christmas party at home – the tree, the lights, the decorations, the music … and nothing helps the Christmas cheer more than some holiday decorating touches. Here are some tips for making your home festive and bright.

Holiday Food Shopping

Cooking Christmas Dinner yourself? Here’s some help on where to procure some special holiday foods.

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1. Follow the Lights at the Amsterdam Licht Festival

As night falls, so Amsterdam lights up with an array of artistic illuminations located around the Nieuwe Herengracht. And with the early evenings, even the children can take part. To add to the magic, enjoy the light tour by boat. The festival runs from mid-December to the first week of January. 

2. Take a Vintage Santa Tram Ride

One of Amsterdam Mamas’ most popular events. Take a vintage tram ride through town, hear some carol singing, have your face painted, and get your picture taken with Santa. Plus festive food of course! Tickets sell out fast.

3. Sing Along to Disney on Ice

See your children’s favourite cartoon characters come to life as they glide across the ice and sing along to the much-loved songs. This year, performances will not be in Amsterdam but at the Ahoy Theatre in Rotterdam and the Jaarsbeurs in Utrecht 

4. Go to a Super-Sized Christmas Show

World Christmas Circus – Featuring talent from all over the world, this show is one of the most celebrated of its type. Trapeze artists, plumed horses, diabolos and hoops – this circus has it all. At the Theater Carré, just east of the centre.

The Christmas Show – Dancing, singing, and special effects bring the story of Cinderella (Assepoester en het Kerstbal) to live. This is family entertainment on a big scale. In Dutch, but still a big eye-full of fun for non-native speakers. At the Ziggo Dome, south east of the city.

5. Pick out a Christmas Tree

Choosing and decorating the family tree brings kids such joy. A fun way to enjoy this ritual is at a tree adoption centre. Check out our list of providers to find a tree near you.

6. Marvel at Ice Sculptures

Get festive overload at the ice sculpture exhibition in Zwolle, an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. Once the kids have finished staring open-mouthed at the works of ice art, let them whizz down the ice slide or take them to the festively-decorated café for a hot chocolate while you reheat with a mulled wine. Just remember to wrap up warm!

7. Take to the Slopes

What’s Christmas without snow? Pretend you’re in the mountains at Snow Planet, a short drive north west of Amsterdam. Here you can ski on indoor slopes with real snow. There’s even a great Sintfestijn just for kids aged 4-12 years on November 27th with fun activities, a medal and diploma and… a visit from Sint and his Piets! If you don’t feel like entertaining at home on December 25, you can book Christmas Day brunch or dinner there too.

8. Shop at a Christmas Market

For maximum festive impact, Christmas markets are hard to beat. Here are a few of our favourites:

Pure Wintermarkt – With its focus on gourmet food this is a good choice for grazers and lovers of all things delicious. The Winter Edition markets are located at Park Frankendael on 24 November and 22 December.

Kerstmarkt Haarlem – Hugely popular event with a 19th Century theme, spread over two days. Traditional Christmas food and drink, choirs, and hundreds of stalls. Public transport recommended.

Read more about our favourite Christmas markets in the Netherlands and beyond. 

9. Go Ice Skating

This classic Dutch winter pastime is great exercise for the kids and lots of fun. The most picturesque location is the Ice Village on the Museumplein but there are plenty of other rinks around town. And when you’ve hung up your skates, grab some fresh oliebollen at the nearby stalls and warm your belly as you make your way home.

10. The Amsterdam Winterparadise

If you want to enjoy a variety of festivities in one place, then the RAI Amsterdam offers  ‘the ultimate winter experience’, which includes ice skating, tube-slides, Christmas cinema, cross-country skiing, a giant ferris wheel, live music, and of course plenty to eat and drink.

The article has been updated for 2018.

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