Travelling Christmas Tree – The Netherlands

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Cliché yes, but at the beginning of December all those who were waiting to put up real Christmas trees are finally joining those of us who have had our trees up for weeks, houses are decorated in colourful lights and Sinterklaas has already made his visit to the children in The Netherlands!

I am always reminded at this time of year just how small the world is and what a joy it is to work in such a global maritime shipping industry. Last week I was in Montreal for meetings where I was fortunate to see so many of my colleagues that I haven’t seen for more than a year (since I was on maternity leave). At this time of year I always see friends from The Netherlands and am so thankful to have learned about their Christmas culture and traditions.

If you woke up in The Netherlands this morning Sinterklaas most likely paid you a visit and left some special presents, candies, etc. in your shoes that you would have left by the fireplace last night (December 5th). Tradition has it that today (December 6th) Sinterklaas will be leaving The Netherlands to return to Spain by steamboat through the Port of Rotterdam. This part of the tradition is my absolute favourite since my first visit to The Netherlands was to visit and tour the Port of Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world.

Although Christmas day will be celebrated in The Netherlands, December 5th is really the “big day”… especially for the children. My little dude is especially lucky to be spoiled by people in Canada and our friends from around the world. This year Sinterklaas (also known as one of my favourite people in the maritime industry and good friends from The Netherlands) brought an outfit from Rotterdam Feyenoord for my little dude!

The true meaning of Christmas is being around family and friends, celebrating the birth of baby Jesus and making most of the season. Thank you so much to all of you for joining me this #TinselTuesday – I hope you are enjoying our journey around the globe (and my Christmas tree) as much as I am enjoying sharing it with you.

My shoes for that: Wooden shoes from Holland