I know what my mother is getting me for Christmas – a verjaardagskalender! I know this because I was there when she bought it. She even let me pick it out. Now I’ll have one for each of our bathrooms.
Week 50 of the 52 Ancestors Challenge is “Traditions”. While it might be described more as a custom than a tradition, with a new year bearing down on us I’d like to think of a verjaardagskalender (“birthdays calendar”) as a tradition.
A typical Dutch bathroom isn’t complete without a verjaardagskalender, a perpetual calendar that is used for keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries. Why is it hung in the bathroom? Because it’s a place where you’ll always see it, so you’ll never forget or miss an important family milestone.
When I visit my Dutch relatives in the Netherlands and Canada, I always take note to look at their verjaardagskalendars. I’ve even photographed all the pages of a few (with permission!). It’s a great way of finding those elusive birthdays, and finding out who is part of the extended family.
Just be forewarned – if you ever see a verjaardagskalender when visiting a Dutch friend, do not add your own name! It would be the height of rudeness and impropriety to do so. And if you see your name on it, consider it an honour – you’re considered one of the family!
A Deck of Ancestors 