No, I haven’t found my boots yet.
But on another note.
I’m already used to everything in the Netherlands. The hot dinner, birthday streamers, satay sauce, bread that’s dry after three days—it’s all familiar and has become part of my German blood.
But with a little Dutch child at home, there are suddenly some awkward moments. Like children’s birthday parties, for example.
And especially the little bags that have to be handed out at the end. Because “treats”—that’s a MUST in the Netherlands.
It’s your birthday, and you hand them out—that’s the social norm. The Netherlands’ best retail chain thrives on it; at school, it’s drilled into you; the Dutch housewife (and the female manager, for that matter) is baking, sewing, and crafting until she drops dead. All those children will be generously spoiled.
In Germany, that’s a strange idea. Sharing the birthday cake with others—I can go along with that; they do that there, too. But buying gifts for others yourself? When you’re the one celebrating your birthday? The one who’s supposed to be showered with toys, books, and nice T-shirts? And your mom has to arrange all of that?
No, I wasn’t familiar with that.
Although my German friend S. has already proven my musings wrong. She’s actually familiar with that phenomenon. But then again, she lived far out in the West, right near the Dutch border. Could that be the difference? That they don’t go for that in the East?
In any case, I followed the national guidelines to the letter. I filled little bags with bouncing balls, marshmallows, and birthday party horns—not just for the five kids who came to celebrate Max’s 3rd birthday yesterday, but also for his 15 friends from preschool.
Hopefully they’ll appreciate them.
Because these aren’t just any old goody bags.
They’re the very first goody bags this German mom has ever made.
