9 appetizers to kick off your Christmas dinner

First of all: thank you for being here to close out 2025 <3.

2025, you were everything I hoped you would be and more. So many new memories.

I don't yet know what 2026 will bring, but last year was one for the books. Highlights included trips to China, Mexico City, Egypt, and exploring the English countryside.

Entrepreneurs probably recognize that 2025 was not an easy year.
When I started Your Little Black Book, I had one dream: not to work to stay somewhere for free in exchange for content and the pressure of a "picture perfect" experience. But to use my revenue models to book and experience those special places myself, as a guest instead of an influencer, and to give you honest tips.
After almost 15 years of entrepreneurship, I'm so happy with the balance between editorial and commercial work and that I can also say no to things that don't feel right.

At the same time, it's still special that destinations, airlines, and hotels hire me to create a customized Little Black Book for them. I have complete freedom with these campaigns, and I believe in the value of these content-based tips that truly suit your taste. And they come from me personally, not from a machine.
So thank you for your support when you see #yourlbbcollab, #pressstrip or #prinvited ;-).

This will always be my dream job, the one I created almost 15 years ago. I still do as much as possible myself. That's energizing—from both successes and failures.

Luckily, I have a small team that helps with certain sections, and this year we're going through all the tips critically. What's still truly fun, and what's not?

As a leisure expert and queen of curation, I'm so excited to take yourlittleblackbook.me to the next level. Even though being an online entrepreneur requires constant attention and doesn't always come naturally, I wouldn't want anything else.

My mission remains: making your life easier.
So you don't have to search, but can simply choose well.

So glad you were here this year. Without you, there would be no Your Little Black Book 🖤

See you in 2026!

With love,
@anne_de_buck

NEW YEAR 🥰 ~ I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I'll be sharing more of these kinds of diaries with you in 2026. What a month December was! 🖤 So grateful for all the special moments!

From overcoming stage fright to New York, lots of QT with my boys, and delicious food. We're closing out the year in Egypt, and it's so incredibly beautiful here ☺️.

1 'Coming home' to NY, this city continues to surprise 🗽

No fancy dinners this time, but a week full of street food, handrolls, slices, and wine bars. 🍕

3 A bizarre end to the trip and another experience richer 🫣

4 Just in time to present the Entree Award for 'best new luxury hotel'. ✨ Overcoming stage fright: CHECK!

One of the best hospitality parties of the year: the Entree Awards. Luckily, we still have the photos. 📸

6, 7, 8 Date night at the always delicious Café Caron, the newly opened Char-d (also recommended) and the snacky dinner that I had been craving for months 😅

9-night hotel preview at Anantara Krasnapolsky and the best night out in your own city. TIP: There's a fantastic giveaway coming up that you won't want to miss. 👀

Note to self: visit a hotel spa more often for the ultimate luxury experience, such as at Anantara Krasnapolsky Amsterdam.

11 Emily in Paris & Cheese Fondue 🫕. What do you think of the new season?

12 AMS rounds with lunch at De Willem & wine and pate en croute at Twee Prinsen 🍷

13 Our Christmas tradition: the World Christmas Circus in Carré 🎪

Manuel's 14th Best Idea: Everyone Had to Hand in Their Phones at Christmas 📵

15 Early Christmas with the fam, and yes I made the viral shrimp tower 🦐

16 EGYPT, here we come! 🛩️

17 Felucca & magical sunset in Luxor ☀️

Christmas gift for the whole family: checked into my dream hotel in Luxor. 🗝️

Bucket list 19: Hot Air Balloon in Luxor. 🔥

20 This is what I call alfresco dining 😍

PS: I love this age of traveling together, a big boy full of fun ideas, but still sweet and small at the same time 🥰

It's crazy to think that the year is almost over, but I'm really looking forward to 2026 and everything that's to come.

I hope you had some nice days too 🖤.

✖️✖️✖️
@anne_de_buck

Comment WEEKEND for the full guide.🎄

I hope your OOO is on, your plans for the festive season are set, and that you're going to enjoy some wonderful days ahead.

If you need more tips, yourlittleblackbook.me is packed with listicles for Christmas and NYE.

From the best delicacy shops for your groceries to last-minute dinner tables and events.

Maybe you're traveling for the holidays? I would love to hear where you're headed.

For now: happy holidays! I'll check in with you next week from Egypt, where I'm adventuring with my family, chasing mummies and pyramids.

ALL THE LOVE,
ANNE

The Christmas holidays are coming and we have collected the best tips for kids (and parents 😉) for you.

From winter getaways in Amsterdam to great family-friendly tips throughout the Netherlands: you'll find them all in our complete Christmas holiday guides.

Think of Christmas markets, winter events, ice skating rinks, light art and quality time together.

In 𝗬𝗟𝗕𝗕'𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 on 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 I have bundled everything for you: from Amsterdam to the best tips throughout the Netherlands.

Countdown: we're off to Egypt for a week soon ☀️, but I've deliberately planned it so we can also fully enjoy all the winter events and outings here. The best of both worlds.

In the guides you will find, among other things:

In the evenings
– Winter outings in Amsterdam, from light art to Christmas markets
– Family-proof events throughout the Netherlands
- Many tips that are also fun in cold or rainy weather

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 & 𝗙𝗨𝗡
– Cozy winter markets for hot chocolate and mulled wine
– Ice rink, circuses, shows and light festivals
– Outings that are just as fun with the whole family as one-on-one with your child

Of course, this is just a sample of everything there is to do.
Do you want the complete overview?
I have always wanted to make a nice gift to you 🖤

And I'm curious: what do you have planned for this holiday?

I hope you have a great time together!

✖️✖️✖️
🖊 Anne de Buck

#yourlittleblackbook #christmasholiday #christmasholidaytips #kidsproof #familytimewintervibes

𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼 (𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟭𝟮, 𝟭𝟯 & 𝟭𝟰)

Another cozy December weekend is here, and the city is buzzing with winter vibes.

Think festive markets, Light Festival strolls, Christmas concerts, new food hotspots, ice skating, and QT with friends or family.

In this week's Amsterdam Weekend Guide, I've rounded up 40 things to do!

Here's a sneak peek — comment WEEKEND for the full guide or check the link in bio.

𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘
– A magical Christmas concert at Het Concertgebouw (Dec 13)
– Bric & Brac Christmas Market at De Willem (Dec 14)
– The always lovely Museumplein Christmas Market — perfect for snacks & winter vibes

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 & 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦
– NEW: Yubu Bento — your new inari go-to in the city center
– NEW: Wonton — dumpling heaven just landed in West
– Do the @lefoodwalk during Amsterdam Light Festival: 10.000 steps, art, street food, oysters & cocktails
– More into sit-down dinners? Book an early or late table with @lefoodwalk

𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗨𝗡
– Poffertjes Sunday at @hetblauwetheehuis (Dec 14) — always a good idea
– Circus Zanzara is back at Westergas with The Art of Making Art — fun for all ages

And this is just a taste of all 40 tips in this week's guide.

Want the full list with all events and new places to check out?

🖤 ​​Comment WEEKEND and I'll send the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide straight to your DMs, or hit the link in bio.

✖️✖️✖️
🖊 @anne_de_buck

#amsterdam #amsterdamweekendguide #amsterdamtips #amsterdamcity

HAPPY ALMOST WEEKEND IN AMSTERDAM

Comment 'weekend' and I'll send you all 32 tips in the new Amsterdam Weekend Guide for December 4, 5, 6 & 7 ✖️✖️✖️