National Tulip Day

When you plant kisses, expect tulips
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As the winter chill fades away and the sun starts to shine a little brighter, the Dutch know it’s time for one of their most beloved traditions: National Tulip Day.
This annual event takes place on the third Saturday in January, and it’s a celebration of the beauty and significance of the tulip, a flower that has become synonymous with Dutch culture and history
Tulips are not only gorgeous but also have an interesting history.
So, let’s dive into the world of tulips and  learn about their fascinating history!
So whether you’re a seasoned tulip enthusiast or just curious about this colorful flower, read on for a little tiptoe through National Tulip Day

The History and Impact of Tulips in the Netherlands

Tulips are not native to the Netherlands. They’re about as Dutch as apple pie is American.
Let’s start with a brief history of the tulip. Did you know that tulips originally came from Central Asia and Turkey?
The word “tulip” itself comes from the Turkish word “tülbent,” which means turban.
Tulips were first brought to the Netherlands in the 16th century and quickly became a symbol of Dutch culture and prosperity.
However, things got a bit crazy during the infamous “tulip mania” in the 17th century, when the value of tulip bulbs skyrocketed to astronomical levels, with people willing to pay exorbitant amounts for rare and unique bulbs, causing economic chaos.
Tulip mania is an example of an economic bubble or speculative frenzy that predates the dot-com bubble of the 1990s by several centuries and made the blockchain bubble look like a storm in a toddlers’ piggy bank.
As with any bubble, tulip mania lead to a market crash leaving many investors broke and others insanely rich.
Despite this dark chapter in history, tulips continue to be considered an important part of modern Dutch culture, with the country being the largest exporter of tulips in the world and are the country’s largest export after tomatoes.

A tulip is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the genus Tulipa, which is part of the Liliaceae family, which makes them a direct sibling of the graceful lily.
The tulip is known for its cup-shaped flowers that have three petals and three sepals, which are usually brightly colored.
Tulips are planted as bulbs that hibernate in winter and then bloom like madness in the spring.
Tulips come in a wide range of colors including red, yellow, pink, white, and purple, and all the other colors of the rainbow.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I like to think that if tulips had a personality, they would be cheerful, vibrant, and always ready to make someone’s day a little bit brighter.
They might even be a bit of a drama queen, with their petals flowing dramatically in the wind.

The Birth of National Tulip Day

National Tulip Day was first celebrated in 2012, when the Dutch tulip growers’ collective decided to celebrate the beginning of the tulip season by creating a massive tulip garden on Dam Square in Amsterdam.
National Tulip Day now has become a yearly event  in the Dam Square in Amsterdam, where over 200,000 tulips are arranged in a colorful display.
The holiday has since spread to other cities in the Netherlands and around the world, making it a truly global celebration of tulips and Dutch culture.
It takes place on the third Saturday in January, which is usually the coldest month of the year in the Netherlands, to brighten up the winter gloom with a burst of color.

How to Celebrate National Tulip Day

Now, let’s get to the fun part: how to celebrate National Tulip Day.
Whether you’re an experienced tulip enthusiast or a newcomer to the game, there’s something for everyone.

•  Buy a bouquet of fresh tulips to brighten up your home.
• Visit a local flower market or garden to admire the beauty of tulips, purchase a bouquet or potted tulip plant to bring home.
• You can visit Dam Square and pick your own tulips straight from the flowerbeds.
• Dress up in traditional Dutch clothing or orange clothing (the national color of the Netherlands)
• If you’re celebrating with friends or loved ones, why not make it a group activity? Host a tulip-themed party or picnic and enjoy the beauty of these magnificent flowers together.
• Give tulips as gifts to loved
• Don’t forget to share your experience on social media with appropriate hashtags like #NationalTulipDay and #TulipLove.
  Who knows, your post might just inspire someone else to appreciate the beauty of tulips!

And, for those wondering if they’re committing cultural appropriation by celebrating National Tulip Day, just remember that it is an interesting thing to wonder about a country celebrating an imported product.
Makes us wonder about what other cultural exchanges and appropriations might have been buried in history.
This question can serve as an excellent conversation starter among people interested in history!

Safety Tips for Celebrating National Tulip Day

While celebrating National Tulip Day is generally a safe and enjoyable activity, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Be mindful of any potential allergies or sensitivities to flowers.
• Make sure to take breaks and stay hydrated if you are engaging in outdoor activities.
• If you’re attending an outdoor event, make sure to dress appropriately to the weather. Which in the Netherlands is usually cold and wet.
• If you’re bringing your animal companions or kids along, keep an eye on them and make sure they’re not getting into any trouble. Make sure they don’t harm the flowers and don’t let them eat any. Tulip bulbs are toxic.

In Conclusion

Life is too short not to stop and smell the tulips.
National Tulip Day is a day that celebrates the beauty and significance of tulips, which have a long and fascinating history in the Netherlands and around the world. It’s a day that encourages us to appreciate the wonders of nature and the joy that flowers can bring to our lives.
So, take some time to appreciate these magnificent flowers and try something new this year.
And if anyone asks you why you are celebrating these flowers today simply tell them that Wild Calendar gave you permission to do so.
So go forth and enjoy National Tulip Day with a smile on your face and a spring in your step!
Happy Tulip Day!

#NationalTulipDay #DutchTulipDay #TulipDay

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Tulip_Day