A Dictionary of Dutchness

Kerstpakket

One of the joys of being employed by a Dutch company is the annual kerstpakket (Christmas box) distributed to staff in the days before the Christmas festivities. Around 4.7 million people get one every year, most of them worth just under €35. Above that amount and the gift is subject to tax. Kerstpakketten are notorious for their tins of chicken ragout. Themes, such as tea-tasting, are on the increase.