Sinterklaas is the most important tradition for the Dutch, a 2008 Centre for Dutch Culture survey found. Celebrated the evening of December 5 with traditional tasty foods, it is the main time for family gift-giving. The second ranked tradition is decorating a Christmas tree, followed by Queen's Day, April 30. Blowing out birthday candles and eating raw herring were also in the top ten. However, in the Maastricht Region the number one important tradition is Carnival!

Birthdays are celebrated

Even when it is nobody's birthday, you are still confronted with birthdays every day. Most Dutch people display a birthday calendar in the bathroom, so as not to forget anyone’s birthday. In the Netherlands a birthday never passes without some kind of celebration; compared to other cultures the Dutch birthday rituals are quite unique. Check out this link to blend in with the Dutch when celebrating your birthday at home, in school or in the office.

Carnival: experience it

The best way to celebrate Carnival, writes Maxine Self on Crossroads: 'you have to experience it! Enter into the whole spirit of Carnival with and open mind and heart. Don’t try and understand it too much, just go with the flow. The people, the music, the atmosphere, the sheer joy of life make it a magical celebration. Age, language, nationality and social status are all forgotten as everyone comes together for a wonderful three day party.' Read the entire article (and many others about carnival) on Crossroads, to understand the meaning and festive days of carnival, the traditions and the do's and dont's.

Christmas ranks after Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas is the Dutch holiday with the good-natured saint, dressed in red, handing out presents, Christmas, however, is a true family gathering, with decorated trees, a church visit and a pretty family dinner. Read about personal Christmas memories and you will get an intimate look at how a typical Dutch family celebrates Christmas.

Queensday: all orange

Queen's Day (Koninginnedag) is a national holiday in the Netherlands, Queen's Day celebrates the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands and is supposed to be a day of national unity and "togetherness". The tradition started in 1885. Starting with the ascension of Queen Juliana in 1949, her birthday on April 30th became the official Queen's Day; even though Queen Beatrix's birthday is on January 31st. Queen's Day is known for its "freemarket" (vrijmarkt) all over the country, where everybody is allowed to sell things in the streets. Other activities are children's games, individual musical performances, and music concerts. During the celebrations people dress in the color orange as reference to the colours of the Monarchy: the House of Orange-Nassau. Read more about Queen's day on Wikipedia.

Sinterklaas: most important

Sinterklaas (Sint Nicholas) is the most important tradition for the Dutch. Mid-November he and his Zwarte Piet helpers arrive by steamer from Spain. Wearing traditional bishop's robes, Sinterklaas rides into town on a white horse. During this time children put out their shoes at night while singing a sinterklaas song, hoping to find chocolate coins, candy treats, pepernoten or a small gift in their shoe the next morning. The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th, St. Nicholas Eve, with festive family parties when gifts and surprises are exchanged, with clever and humorous rhymes. Read more about the traditions of Sinterklaas at www.stnicholascenter.org and for fun summary check out: 'Sinterklaas: invented to get lots of presents and annoy your family and friends'.