Photo: AlternatePhotography

I was afraid it wouldn’t feel like Christmas this year, now that I’m living in a different country. But here in the Netherlands, that's nearly impossible. This festive country is in full Christmas spirit before the end of December even comes around! Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) sails in from Spain on the last Saturday in November; Sinterklaasavond (Sinterklaas Eve) on 5 December is a night filled with poems and presents; and Kerstmis (Christmas Day) is spent caroling and telling stories around the Christmas tree. So it's no surprise Amsterdam takes part in these special holiday traditions. There's even a Tweede Kerstdag (Second Christmas Day) on 26 December! More than one day of Christmas? Thank you Sinterklaas.