Working during Christmas or not celebrating it at all: “That’s not bad at all”

Nursing Lydia Kooijman from Omring in Den Helder

Lydia Kooijman (65) is a carer at the Den Koogh van Omring residential care location in Den Helder. The residential care center in the north of North Holland does a lot to give residents the Christmas feeling. For example, the residential location is decorated, people are served a three-course dinner on Christmas Day and gifts are placed under the Christmas tree for the residents. “They really like it,” says Lydia. “The residents see that it is different and you can see them enjoying themselves. We also wear neat clothes on Christmas Day instead of our green coat. That is of course also more pleasant for them.”

Den Koogh’s healthcare staff who have to work on Christmas Day also make it a pleasant moment during their morning break. “We all bring homemade delicacies to hand out, for example soup, salad or pastries. There is also quite a lot of diversity in this company, so you get many different types of snacks. A colleague then brings Curaçao snacks. And yourself I was married to a Moroccan man, so I handed out Moroccan cookies once.” And it’s not just good food. During that morning break, the staff also drinks a glass of non-alcoholic champagne, for the party feeling. “It’s just as nice to be together. The atmosphere with us is good, so it’s not a problem to work. And after such a festive break of half an hour you can get back to it.”

Bus conductor and Quran teacher Shazia Ashrafi Razvia from Alkmaar

Shazia Ashrafi Razvia (40), who prefers not to be in the picture, does not celebrate Christmas for religious reasons. By profession she is a bus conductor for children with disabilities. She also teaches Quran at the Sunni Razvi mosque in Alkmaar. Because of her Muslim background, Shazia doesn’t celebrate Christmas with her family, but that doesn’t mean she’s missing out. “It’s just a day off for us. However, someone in the family has a birthday on Boxing Day. That birthday is then celebrated in the family, so there happens to be a party.” It also happens that the Alkmaar mosque organizes something for a good cause. “That suits many Muslims well because Christmas is of course a day off, but we don’t do anything else with it.”

Shazia and her family members cannot escape the lights, Christmas markets and richly decorated conifers that can be seen in public. She does not participate in this at home and she must also explain this to her children. “My children love a Christmas tree, of course, but I don’t have that in my house. I explained to them from an early age that we have a different faith and that is why we celebrate Christian holidays. Fortunately, they understand that. We have here no discussions about it.”

So no Christmas or party for Shazia and her family, but she enjoys what the Christmas season brings her. “People are friendlier and happier towards each other. I think this is because they have something to hold on to,” says the Quran teacher. “And I love Christmas stollen, turkey and gourmet packs. The last two are available halal these days and that’s why I buy them. Always handy to have turkey or gourmet pack in the freezer, for a birthday or another occasion.”

Eddy Segers of the Wegenwacht from Amsterdam

“I don’t mind working during Christmas at all,” says Eddy Segers (44) of the Wegenwacht, who works in the Amsterdam region. “It is also much quieter on the road, because motorists are in most cases on their way to Christmas dinner.” That Eddy can help them in the event of a breakdown gives him a good feeling. “That’s fun to do, because everyone is very happy when their car is working again.”

Eddy does admit that he misses the family dinner with his family. “Sometimes there are no breakdowns and I can still join at home, but you always have to take into account that you can be called up.” With the changing shifts he has always on his mind that he can be scheduled during Christmas. “That’s why I always plan Christmas on different days.”

In the times that Eddy had to work, one bad luck has stayed with him. “A few years ago I came to a family that had little money and drove a very old car. It was snowing and those people were numb by the side of the road,” says Eddy. snow had to stand by the side of the road for hours. Fortunately I got the car to work and they were able to continue, but I will not forget that image.”

Catering entrepreneur Minevitus Veltman from Weesp

Catering entrepreneur Minevitus Veltman (75) and his son and daughter (see photo) prepare Christmas dinners in the restaurant in Weesp that also bears his first name: Minevitus. “It’s the most beautiful dinner of the year,” he enthuses. “It’s just fun then and we enjoy serving our guests.” He has been serving Christmas dinners in the restaurant for 25 years, but this year something stood out compared to previous years: “We have never been fully booked as early as this year. So there is a need.”

The run-up to Christmas is busy for the hospitality industry. In October he starts compiling the menu. “And just before Christmas we go shopping. The days after that are ‘leftover days’. We then use what we have left in the fridge, even then we put together a special menu and everyone gets about the same for a slightly lower price. “

When Minevitus is asked if he would like to be free to cook Christmas dinner just for himself and his family, he says: “Then I’d be stupid, because this is the busiest time of the year,” he says. “I’m 75, but I enjoy doing it. We enjoy it ourselves.”