NOW THE REAL FESTIVE SEASON COMES...

It's always a bit of a 'phew' moment for me as I retrieve the last pepernoten from the most unlikely corners of my house after Sinterklaas. I know where I am with Christmas traditions, and can answer tricky questions with more assurance than when it's about the logistics of sea travel between Spain and the Netherlands. Father Christmas is quite simply magic, as are his sledge and reindeer, and that's how he manages to get to every child on one single night, all right? 

Watch this page over the next week or two, as I seek out interesting things to do, see and enjoy over the Christmas and New Year period. And as a starter:

WINTERFESTIVAL AT THE VOGELWIJK PLAYGROUP, WEDNESDAY 8 DECEMBER

This Wednesday (short notice!) the Wednesday Vogelwijk group is holding a winter festival; a celebration of Sinterklaas, Christmas, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice... or just that it´s white and pretty outside (well, sometimes ...) and we all get holidays soon. The organising committee will be providing drinks. If you can please bring some food/snacks to share - perhaps something that is typical of the winter festival from your culture - or just anything you like yourself!

The group runs at the Vogelwijk playground on Nagtegaallaan from 9.30 to 11.30; see here for details of how to reach it etc...

A POSTSCRIPT ABOUT THE FLAGS

See those smart flags along the top? No, I'm afraid we haven't translated the whole site . but we've done the next best thing. If you would like information in a language other than English, a whole team of experienced international Leidenites has come forward as contact points in their own native languages, ten so far. A big Thank You to all of them! Just click on the relevant flag and you'll find their contact details; they'll be happy to help you out in any way they can. And if you don't see your own native language listed and would like to be the one to add it, please drop Alice a line: alice@homeinleiden.nl.