December in the Netherlands and Belgium is a double celebration. First comes Sinterklaas on 5 December, with its poems, surprises and chocolate letters. Then, barely three weeks later, Christmas arrives. That means two rounds of gift buying in one month, and for many families, two chances to end up with presents nobody really needed.
We have all received the gadget that was used once, the scented candle set that went straight into the cupboard, or the novelty mug that never left the box. This year, it is worth thinking about gifts that people will actually use, enjoy and keep. Here are some ideas that stay out of the drawer.
Give an Experience, Not Just an Object
The gifts people remember most are often things they did rather than things they own. Concert tickets, a cooking class, a day at a sauna or a museum card all create memories. They also avoid adding clutter to someone’s home, which many people appreciate more than they say.
If you prefer something to unwrap, look for gifts that combine the two: an object that leads to an experience. A board game for family evenings, a beginner’s pottery kit or a recipe book with the ingredients for the first dish all work well.
Creative Kits for Calm Evenings
For a gift that is an experience as well as an object, een dot painting pakket (a dot painting kit) is hard to beat. It comes with everything needed and delivers across the Netherlands and Belgium, which makes it a practical choice for both Sinterklaas and Christmas.
Dot painting is simple to start. The canvas is pre-printed with a pattern of circles, and you fill each one with a pen until a black-and-white image appears. It is relaxing, mess-free and suitable for beginners, so it suits parents, grandparents, friends and colleagues alike. Best of all, the finished piece ends up on the wall rather than in a drawer.
The Most Personal Option: Their Own Photo
For the most personal version, click here to upload a family photo and see the preview. The photo is converted into a dot pattern on canvas, and the recipient dots it into a finished piece for their wall. A wedding photo for parents, a grandchild’s portrait for grandparents or a picture of a beloved pet are all ideas that tend to bring a few happy tears.
One practical tip: custom canvases take 10 to 15 working days to make, and delivery can be slower around the holidays, so order well before December. If you are cutting it fine, a gift voucher is a good fallback that still lets the recipient choose their own photo.
Gifts Made for the Sinterklaas Tradition
Sinterklaas has its own charming customs. Many families draw names, so each person buys for one other person and writes them a rhyming poem. A “surprise” is a handmade package disguised as something else, with the real gift hidden inside. Creative gifts suit this tradition perfectly. A small craft kit hidden inside a homemade cardboard creation, with a cheeky poem to go with it, is exactly the spirit of the evening.
Useful Gifts That Still Feel Special
Practical does not have to mean boring. A good-quality blanket for winter evenings, a beautiful notebook, a reusable water bottle in someone’s favourite colour or a subscription to a magazine they love are all gifts that get used daily. The trick is to choose a better version of something they already need.
Edible Gifts
Food never ends up in a drawer. Chocolate letters are the classic Sinterklaas gift, but a tin of homemade speculaas, a jar of local honey or a selection of Belgian chocolates also goes down well. Edible gifts are especially good for colleagues, neighbours and teachers, where you want to say thank you without overstepping.
Tips for Choosing Well
Think about how the person spends their evenings. A gift that fits their routine will be used. A gift that requires a new routine often will not.
Choose personal over impressive. A small, thoughtful present that shows you know someone beats an expensive gadget every time.
Plan ahead. Personalised and handmade gifts need time. Starting your shopping in November takes the stress out of both celebrations.
Gifts for People Who Have Everything
Every family has someone who is impossible to buy for. For them, the best gifts are usually time or memories. A handwritten letter about a shared moment, a framed photo from years ago, or an offer to spend a day together doing something they love will mean more than another gadget. Consumables are another safe bet: good coffee, a bottle of wine or a selection of local treats will always be used. If you want something lasting, choose a gift that carries a story, rather than one that simply fills a shelf.
Wrapping It Up Sustainably
A gift that stays out of the drawer deserves wrapping that stays out of the bin. Fabric wraps, brown paper with a sprig of greenery, or reusable gift bags look beautiful and cut down on waste after the celebrations.
Gifts That Last Beyond the Holidays
The best December gifts are the ones still being enjoyed in March. Something to make, something to taste, something to do together or something that carries a personal memory. This year, skip the drawer-fillers and choose presents that become part of someone’s home and routine. Both Sinterklaas and the people you love will appreciate the thought.
