The top 10 traditions, according to a recent survey by the NCV, the Dutch folk culture centre

1 Sinterklaas – present-giving on December 5. If you’re ‘good’, Saint Nicholas has your name in his book and brings you loads of (little) presents.

2 Putting up a Christmas tree
3 The Queen’s Day market  and orange fever. A great dutch celebration heartily enjoyed by men and women all over the Netherlands.

4 .Eating oliebollen – deep-fried donuts – on New Year’s Eve (and other holidays, I might add). These are calorie-laden and are a very common winter sight, when you’ll see loads of ‘Holland gebak’ vans, with wares displayed

5 Painting Easter eggs

6 The Council of 11 who organise Carnaval

7 Eating crispbakes with pink  or blue aniseed sprinkles (beschuit met muisjes – biscuits with mice – apparently some of the aniseed balls look like they have little tails resembling mice so…) to celebrate the birth of a baby. If the baby is a member of the royal family, then orange sprinkles top the crispbakes.

8 Blowing out birthday cake candles

9 Singing Sint Maarten songs on November 11

10 Eating herring (haring)

Reference: Top 20 Dutch traditions