It’s only October, but that doesn’t stop many people. Christmas is coming! From busy queues in front of the oliebollen stalls to full garden centers because of their Christmas shows. The tree is already up and with it the Christmas atmosphere is in full swing. “For some, the Christmas period only starts after Sinterklaas, for me already in October.”
The Haagsche Oliebollenbakkerij has been open again since October 2. “It’s nice and busy,” says owner Jan Vermolen. According to him, it even seems to be getting busier every year. “So far it looks like an average month of November. People all love it. It is cozy and atmospheric. Everyone is looking forward to Christmas.”
This year we also filled an oliebol with Kinder Bueno for the first time. That’s becoming a real hype
Of course he sells the traditional oliebollen, buns with currants and apple fritters. Vermolen: “This year we also filled an oliebol with Kinder Bueno for the first time. That is becoming a real hype.” He has already eaten a few himself. “As the owner, you obviously have to approve everything!”
Decorating has begun
Saskia de Laat from Eindhoven is self-proclaimed christmaholic and is already in the Christmas spirit. “It’s wonderful because of the nostalgia and it brings out your inner child.” She started decorating her house this week. “Every room gets a little Christmas makeover,” she says. “Not over the top, but nice and stylish.” Every year she chooses a different theme, this year it is woodland glam. She changes the decorations every season. “Christmas is my favorite season. The house is a beautiful outfit and the decorations are the accessories.”
She doesn’t know yet how many Christmas trees will be in the house. “We always have to wait and see how everything turns out. In any case, there will be a large tree in the living room and some smaller trees in the bedroom and home office.” Sky Christmas is on while decorating. The Christmas radio station has been available since October 1.
She shares the Christmas anticipation every year in a blog with as many people as possible. “People who don’t like Christmas don’t understand that it’s not just about those two days. It really is quite a season. For some, this only starts after Sinterklaas, but for me it starts with the opening of the Christmas shows in garden centers.”
Magical Christmas villages
De Laat has also visited a number of garden centers and she is certainly not the only one. It is very busy at Intratuin Halsteren. “We have noticed for a few years that many people come to our Christmas show,” says marketing manager Gerrie Veraart. “That’s why we open in the last weekend of September.” He notices that consumers have an early need for the Christmas period. This year’s theme is ‘This is where Christmas comes to life’. Veraart is also completely under the spell of Christmas. “It’s so nice when you work here, I spend a lot of time with it.”
The whole thing tinkles and glitters. There are Christmas trees, Christmas puppets, Christmas tableware and of course the miniature villages. “This year we have once again displayed a beautiful Christmas village. Customers love it, it really comes to life,” says Veraart.
This year the crowds started even earlier than before. According to him, this is due to the extensive Disney range, also in the Christmas spirit. “I’m a Disney fanatic myself and I saw a nice collector’s item. I will definitely look into that, because I want to put it on my dresser.”
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