Thank God it's almost Christmas

In 32 days the phone will go silent, the food infusion will be set up, and we will reflect on what we are satisfied with. Christmas. To get into the mood, I’m putting Leco van Zadelhof under the mistletoe today. The man with an exceptionally good taste and an almost even greater love for Christmas.

Dear Leco, I believe you are the first in my circle to bring out the tree. In Paris the Christmas decorations are traditionally lit on November 24. Do you also have a fixed moment when you open the Christmas season?

“For me, that’s on November 22, always nice and timely. That also has to do with the fact that we have to divide between the hysteria and the clean. The tree is there for two weeks without decorations, and in the last two weeks, Carlos can go wild and everything that has a hook goes into the tree. The Christmas tree represents our relationship: give and take.”

Have you ever done something fat?
“I’m glad Carlos doesn’t say: ‘This year I want the tree completely in red.’ Then it’s just a favela with everything that has a hook, and it becomes somewhat funny, fun. In fact: he has already bought about thirty new things, and last year it was already full. So I think it will become top-heavy and there will be no green left to see.”

What does Christmas look like at the Van Zadelhof household?
“If we’re not abroad, we’re exhausted. It’s a busy time; there are always last-minute shoots, Boulevard, someone who needs a haircut, and on top of that, all the dinners, Christmas drinks, and well-meaning parties. So when it’s really Christmas, I’m a bit done with Christmas. Then I prefer to watch a movie on the couch in my sweatpants. And preferably not eat Christmas food.”

Do you take the tree down then?
“No, the tree is definitely still there, although I’m tired of it by Christmas and New Year’s. But putting daffodils on the table then is a bit much for me.”

What is your ideal Christmas?
“I’d rather be away. Then my quiet period begins, until mid-January. This year we are going to Costa Rica.”
Of all the people around me, you are the one who best lives by the work-hard-play-hard motto. You must have already pampered ‘your women’ for these days, so I assume you’ll be getting away after Christmas...

Artificial or a real tree?
“Artificial. First of all, I’m allergic, so if I don’t want to have red spots on my neck every evening, I shouldn’t take a real tree. But also because we keep it up for so long, artificial is better. A real tree is really at its end after two and a half weeks, and you find needles everywhere for up to six months afterward. I have a very beautiful artificial tree that is indistinguishable from a real one and stays fresh all the time. And sustainable!”

Most beautiful Christmas ever?
“A few years ago we celebrated Christmas in Brazil, where Carlos is from, and I found that very special. There was such a special dynamic. I think that was my most beautiful Christmas ever.”

Imagine, everything is possible. You could even conjure people from heaven. Who would be at your ideal Christmas dinner? Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren next to your beloved Leontine and Carlos?
“Rob. Yes, if you ask it like that, then Rob (Rob Sintenie, Leco’s previous love who passed away last year – MM) would love to be at the table.”

And then on December 27, does that tree come down immediately and do you put tulips in the vase?
“I wait until January, but then I don’t know how quickly I should put the daffodils in the vase. Then it’s spring.”