For the second year in a row, because of COVID, visiting Christmas markets here in the Netherlands or Germany has been out of the question. Even if some are open now in Germany, they're not full-blown with all the usual stalls.
Talk about a bummer!
So, you can imagine our excitement upon discovering that nearby garden centers in Rijswijk (Kolbach) and Dongen (AVRI) give a Christmas "fix" that is almost as good. Little did we know!
What follows is a combined visual of both garden centers visited in one day, 29 km apart, with Kolbach just 15 km from home. With lunch in between at one of them, it was totally doable.
First of all, remember that these are garden centers...
where you can still buy garden supplies, plants etc. DUH.
But THEN you enter a Christmas wonderland!
And like at Christmas markets, you have a gazillion things to see...and/or buy.
The decorating creativity was as good as anything I've ever seen in America or Europe.
I told daughter Amy that I could picture one of these
next to her Christmas tree or fireplace. Just call me a glutton for them.
But THIS is what grabbed our attention the most: the model villages.
Both garden centers had several of them that took up most of our photographic time.
This is just one of them.
I think we all have Childlike Wonder at such sights, don't you!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
And now, for all of you who celebrate the day...
Merry Christmas!
And to my Jewish friends,
Happy Hanukkah!
"Short of eyes" comes in mind after being there and seeing your collages and pictures. You saw things I missed and maybe visa versa.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun day and and yes, this was our fix! What a wonderful post this is, another memory to keep. Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
IHVJ
Short of eyes, indeed, Astrid! If we can never go back to another Christmas market, I'll at least be satisfied with THIS experience, year after year. I DID wish I had a brat, however! HA!
DeleteExceptional photos, Ginnie! So much to take it, it must be a wonderful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marie. Even if we DO get to visit Christmas markets in the years to come, we may still want to also visit these special garden centers at Christmastime. Astrid says they're all over the Netherlands, so maybe we can try out some new ones next year.
DeleteSo beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI can’t even begin to image the work that goes into building those villages!!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Have a wonderful holiday!
I can't imagine the work either, Robin, even though I have always said I would love to work with miniatures. I'll never tire of them! Thank you.
DeleteNow that’s Christmas! We know you will make the most of it. Good to hear from you and stay well and have a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ted! Astrid says there are garden centers all over the Netherlands that do these Christmas extravaganzas each year. Why it took this long for ME to find out about them is beyond me, but I'll never let her forget, from this year forward! Can hardly wait to see what we'll find next year. :)
DeleteWat een heerlijke vrolijke log is dit weer
ReplyDeleteEn dat jullie genoten hebben is wel duidelijk zichtbaar.
Ik had nog niet geantwoord omdat ik de foto`s eerst op de pc wilde zien.
Zo meer genieten dan op je telefoontje :-)
Fijn weekend samen en blijf aub gezond samen
Oh, bless you, Marjolein, for checking this out also on your PC, where you can see the images better. You are always so positive and encouraging. Hartstikke bedankt.
DeleteThe colors and scenes are fabulous! I’m so happy you found this alternative.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Ruth. Now that we know about this alternative, we will continue to do it AND even go to the Christmas markets, whenever possible. :)
Delete