Once the ice rink at the Leidseplein has been opened, it’s time to start your Christmas shopping in earnest. Every year around mid-November this square is transformed into a magic place, heralding the arrival of both Sinterklaas and Christmas.
When you have children you can take them here for an afternoon filled with joy. Rent skates and join them or buy yourself a mulled wine in one of the surrounding stalls and soak up the festive spirit. Let me tell you, the smells alone will make you cheery. They are largely produced by the cafes selling oliebollen and appelflappen, two delicacies each and every Dutchman will devour on multiple occasions in December and January, whether it is in the office, at home or in a social set up.
Oliebollen are a dougnut-like health hazard, slightly smaller than a tennis ball and filled with raisins and currents, whilst appelflappen are peeled apple slices dipped in batter and subsequently baked in the oil exhausted by the oliebollen. Most Dutch people will buy them in street stalls or at their local bakeries but some people contrive to actually produce them at home, usually between Christmas and the New Year.
The ice rink itself is truly magical when nightfall sets in; there’s real snow produced by snow machines, dozens of lit-up trees line the square and the hustle and bustle of the bikes, cars and trams somehow takes on a lovely shine that makes you appreciate winter. Chances are that you will get a glimpse of this lovely atmosphere even if you do not go skating, as the Leidseplein is located near where many of Amsterdam Apartment’s rentals are. What’s more, the ice rink organisers at Winterplaza have chosen to adopt sensible principles by using energy saving and green technology.
