My Diary – Leonardo Cardillo – Page 25 – My Diary

2025.12.13 – A Dutch Scent for a Mexican Teacher: A Small Gift With a Long Journey

Key Takeaways

Why this story matters
A child in Mexico (North America) wants to thank an English teacher with a very specific birthday present: a fresh perfume from the Netherlands (Europe).

Money, time, and feelings in one choice
The family tries to balance a clear wish for a Dutch brand with a tight budget of about 600 pesos and the need for fast delivery through Amazon Mexico (North America).

Brands that carry a country’s story
Dutch brands such as Mexx and Rituals show how fashion and beauty labels can become small cultural symbols that travel across borders.

What teachers usually value
Research and reports about teacher gifts suggest that simple, modest presents and personal notes are often more meaningful than expensive items.

Story & Details

A birthday in December
In December 2025, a parent in Mexico (North America) searches for a birthday present for a child’s English teacher. The child has a clear and charming idea. She wants “a citrus perfume from the Netherlands (Europe)” that can arrive quickly through Amazon Mexico (North America). The gift should feel special, not ordinary, and it should say something about the country where the scent comes from.

A dream gift meets a hard price
The search leads to a well-known Dutch fashion brand: Mexx. Mexx began in 1986 when designer Rattan Chadha joined two clothing labels, Moustache and Emanuelle, and added two “kisses” to create the new name: M + E + XX. [1][2] Over time, Mexx grew into an international brand and started to offer perfumes and colognes as well as clothes. [1][5]

On Amazon Mexico (North America), the family finds a fresh Mexx fragrance for men that matches the idea of a light, sporty, almost citrus style. The problem is the price. With taxes and shipping, the cost is around 1,500 pesos, much more than the family wants to spend.

A second option appears: another Mexx scent at roughly 600 pesos. This looks perfect at first. It is from the same Dutch brand. It still fits the idea of a clean, modern fragrance. Yet one detail breaks the spell: the delivery estimate stretches far into the future. It might arrive weeks too late for the teacher’s birthday.

So the family stands at a crossroads. One bottle is on time but too expensive. Another fits the budget but will not arrive in time. The basic wish remains the same: a Dutch perfume, or at least something very close to it, that can realistically reach the classroom before the candles are lit.

Looking wider: Dutch brands and global shops
At this point, the search opens up a little. Another Dutch brand appears on the horizon: Rituals. Rituals started about twenty-five years ago in a basement in Amsterdam in the Netherlands (Europe), with a simple mission to turn everyday routines like showering or washing hands into small moments of calm. [3][4][6][7] Its body products often come in elegant packaging with complex scents. Some lines are fresh and energising; others are warm and relaxing.

In theory, Rituals offers a path to a Dutch-scented gift that is not a classic perfume but still feels special. A foaming shower gel or a body spray could look refined and thoughtful on a teacher’s bathroom shelf. But the child’s original idea is very clear: a perfume, not just a shower product, and something that feels close to the world of fragrance rather than simple soap. Because of that, Rituals stays in the background as a backup rather than the star.

The family goes back to Mexx and focuses on different formats: deodorant sprays and lighter “natural spray” products. Perfume websites list many Mexx fragrances and confirm that the brand has released dozens of scents since around the year 2000. [5] These lighter formats often cost less than a full-size eau de toilette and sometimes ship faster. They may not look as grand as a heavy glass bottle, but they still carry the same Dutch brand name and a similar smell profile.

Amazon Mexico as a moving target
The next step is practical. The parent searches Amazon Mexico (North America) for Mexx options that match three simple filters: the brand name, a price under about 600 pesos, and delivery within a few days or a week.

Articles about selling on Amazon Mexico (North America) show how dynamic the marketplace is. Amazon has become one of the main e-commerce players in the country, with strong logistics and a fast-growing customer base. [8][9][10][11] Yet stock, prices, and delivery promises can change quickly as sellers join and leave, as imports move through customs, and as tax rules evolve.

That is exactly what happens here. Some Mexx listings look ideal at first glance but turn out to be “currently unavailable” when opened. Others are sold by overseas sellers who need extra time to bring the products into Mexico (North America). The parent learns to check every detail: the price, the seller, the shipping method, and the estimated delivery date, rather than trusting the first result on the screen.

Slowly, a pattern emerges. The most realistic path is not to chase one perfect bottle but to treat Mexx as a small category of Dutch options. The plan is to keep looking for a fresh or citrus-leaning men’s fragrance or deodorant spray from Mexx that falls under the budget and has a delivery window that aligns with the birthday. Once one product meets all three conditions, that item becomes “the Dutch gift” for the teacher.

What teachers say about gifts
While this family compares prices and shipping times, a quiet question sits in the background: what do teachers actually think about presents?

Surveys and interviews with teachers suggest that many of them feel uneasy when families spend a lot of money on gifts. Some school systems even limit the value of what teachers are allowed to accept. [12][13] Articles about teacher gift etiquette explain that handwritten letters, simple cards, and small, practical objects are often the most appreciated. [12][14] Teachers also say that gift cards and useful items for the classroom can be more helpful than luxury goods. [13][15]

Recent coverage of teacher gifts in late 2025 points in the same direction. Educators describe low-cost but thoughtful presents, such as a favourite brand of pen or a small self-care item, as more touching than expensive perfume. Handwritten notes from children are often kept for years. [16]

This information does not cancel the child’s wish for a Dutch perfume. Instead, it adds a new layer. The bottle does not need to be perfect or costly. The emotional centre of the gift is the story behind it: a Mexican child who wants to honour a teacher with a scent from the Netherlands (Europe) and the effort the family makes to respect both money and time.

A tiny Dutch mini-lesson for the gift card
The story also includes something small and joyful: a short Dutch sentence for the card that will sit next to the perfume.

One very simple sentence a child can write is:

Dank u wel voor alles, juf.

In this line, each word has a clear role.
Dank means “thank”.
U means a polite “you”.
Wel gives extra weight, like “really” or “very”.
Voor means “for”.
Alles means “everything”.
Juf is an informal word used by children for a female teacher in primary school.

Another easy line is:

Groeten uit Mexico.

Groeten means “greetings”.
Uit means “from”.
Mexico is the country name and stays the same in Dutch.

Together, these two lines give the gift a playful cross-border touch. The teacher receives a Dutch-brand scent, bought through a Mexican online marketplace, with a card that uses a few real words of Dutch. The result is a small but vivid story of how one birthday present can connect two countries, two languages, and one grateful child.

Conclusions

A bridge in a bottle
A birthday gift for a teacher does not have to be large to feel special. In this case, a single bottle of Dutch fragrance, or even a modest deodorant spray from a Dutch brand, becomes a bridge between Mexico (North America) and the Netherlands (Europe). The careful search on Amazon Mexico (North America) shows that love and attention can live inside very practical choices about price and delivery.

The quiet power of intention
Reports from teachers make one point again and again: the intention behind a gift matters more than the cost. A small scent with a thoughtful story, plus a short message in careful handwriting, can leave a stronger mark than an impressive luxury item. This story of a child, a teacher, and a Dutch perfume is a reminder that meaningful gestures often travel in small packages.

Selected References

[1] “Mexx,” Wikipedia – overview of Mexx as a Dutch fashion brand created in 1986, with background on its name and history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexx

[2] “It started with a kiss…,” Mexx official site – brand origin story and explanation of the M + E + XX name. https://www.mexx.com/en/about-mexx

[3] “Our story began 25 years ago…,” About Rituals – official page describing the origins of Rituals in Amsterdam and its mission to turn routines into meaningful moments. https://www.rituals.com/en-nl/lp/about-rituals

[4] “The history of Rituals,” Rituals careers site – short company timeline showing growth from one shop in Amsterdam to a global brand. https://careers.rituals.com/en-NL/work-with-heart-and-soul/timeline/

[5] “Mexx perfumes and colognes,” Fragrantica – catalogue of Mexx fragrances and basic information about the brand’s scent lines. https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Mexx.html

[6] “The story of Rituals that fascinated the world,” Mydutyfree blog – article on the founding of Rituals in 2000 and its rise as a Dutch cosmetics brand. https://blog.mydutyfree.net/en/rituals

[7] “Introducing the Netherlands,” Lonely Planet – short YouTube guide to the Netherlands, offering travel and culture tips from a well-known publisher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n41cfMrE4

[8] “Your journey to sell in Mexico – Vende en Amazon México,” Amazon – overview of how the Amazon Mexico marketplace works for sellers. https://vender.amazon.com.mx/oocsellerjourney

[9] “How to Sell on the Amazon Mexico Marketplace,” SmartScout – guide to the role of Amazon Mexico in the country’s e-commerce scene. https://www.smartscout.com/amazon-selling-guides/how-to-sell-on-the-amazon-mexico-marketplace

[10] “Expand to Latin America (Mexico and Brazil),” Amazon Global Selling – description of selling on Amazon.com.mx and Amazon.com.br as an entry to Latin American markets. https://sell.amazon.com/global-selling/latin-america

[11] “Mexico: Your Launchpad for LATAM Amazon Expansion,” MerchantSpring – analysis of Mexico’s fast-growing e-commerce market and Amazon’s place in it. https://resources.merchantspring.io/blog/mexico-your-launchpad-for-latam-amazon-expansion

[12] “A Warning About Gifts for Teachers,” Teaching Traveling – discussion of ethical and emotional issues around teacher gifts and value limits in some schools. https://www.teachingtraveling.com/best-teacher-gift-ideas-appreciation/

[13] “Should You Give a Gift on the First Day of School? Teacher Gift Etiquette Explained,” Beaumont Etiquette – guidance on polite, thoughtful teacher gifts. https://www.beaumontetiquette.com/post/should-you-give-a-gift-on-the-first-day-of-school-teacher-gift-etiquette-explained

[14] “Teacher Appreciation Dos and Don’ts,” The Room Mom – practical advice on what kinds of gifts tend to work best for teachers. https://the-room-mom.com/2014/05/04/teacher-appreciation-dos-and-donts/

[15] “Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts,” SheKnows – article highlighting teachers’ preference for useful gift cards and simple gestures. https://www.sheknows.com/feature/teacher-gift-giving-etiquette-1931668/

[16] “We Asked 7 Educators to Name the Best Teacher Gifts,” People – 2025 feature where teachers describe handwritten letters and simple, low-cost items as the most heartfelt gifts. https://people.com/best-teacher-gifts-december-2025-11866519

Appendix

Amazon Mexico
Amazon Mexico is the national version of the Amazon online marketplace that serves customers in Mexico (North America), offering products priced in pesos and supported by local and international sellers who ship into the country.

Dutch fragrance
Dutch fragrance here means any perfume, cologne, or scented body product created by a brand based in the Netherlands (Europe), combining the idea of personal scent with a link to Dutch design and lifestyle.

Dutch mini-lesson
The Dutch mini-lesson is a short set of example sentences in Dutch, with simple explanations in English for each word, used to help a child write a brief greeting or thank-you note to a teacher.

Mexx
Mexx is a Dutch fashion label founded in 1986 in the Netherlands (Europe) by merging two clothing brands, later expanding into international markets and launching many perfumes and colognes with a casual, urban style.

Rituals
Rituals is a beauty and lifestyle brand that began in Amsterdam in the Netherlands (Europe), focusing on bath, body, and home products designed to turn daily routines into small, calming rituals with rich fragrances.

Teacher gift etiquette
Teacher gift etiquette refers to informal and formal guidelines that help families choose modest, thoughtful presents for teachers, often encouraging small, practical items or handwritten cards instead of expensive or extravagant gifts.

2025.12.13 – Early Evenings and Three Red Things: A Simple System for Heavy Days

Key Takeaways

The text presents a small daily system for heavy days, based on an early-evening sleep routine, three key “red” priorities, and a few very simple body-first actions.
The system uses kind inner language, the image of emotional armour that can open through tiny gaps, and the quiet support of a digital assistant that behaves like a calm, organised friend.
Everyday details such as timesheets in an online portal, a blank template for hours, an airline ticket, and even the name of a folding dish rack show how the system works in real life.
The story sits in the mid-2020s and focuses on one person trying to keep life moving during hard periods without aiming for perfection.

Story & Details

A small system for very heavy days

The system described here is made for someone who often faces very heavy days. On those days, big plans do not help. Long to-do lists only add pressure. What helps is smaller and softer: going to bed in the early evening, choosing three “red” priorities for the day, and doing a short set of body-first actions that never change. Around this core sit a few gentle ideas: kinder inner language, the picture of emotional armour, a favourite number, and quiet help from a digital assistant.

The person at the centre of this story is not trying to win the day. The goal is more modest: not to sink. The system is a way to keep moving a little, even when the weight of the day feels almost too much.

A day that ends early and starts before dawn

In this life, the day ends earlier than for most people. Sleep comes in the early evening, while many others are still busy. The new day begins before dawn, during hours when streets, chats, and inboxes are mostly silent. These quiet hours feel like private land.

Sleep and body-clock research suggests that stable sleep and wake times, even at unusual hours, can support health when light and screens are used with care. Regular patterns help the body know when to rest and when to be alert. In this system, the early-evening pattern gives a frame: there is a clear end to each day and a clear beginning to the next.

Three red things, everything else is bonus

Inside that frame, each day has very few main goals. The person chooses two or three “red things”. These are the tasks that truly matter for that day. They stand out like bright points on a simple map. If they are done, the day counts as “enough”, no matter what happens with all the other small tasks. Everything else is bonus.

This fits with a well-known idea in productivity: the rule of three. Many writers suggest picking three main outcomes for the day and for the week, instead of trying to handle every single demand. Choosing three forces a real decision about what matters most. In this system, the red things might be a call about health, a form that must be sent, a proper meal, or a repair at home. On the hardest days, even one red thing is a win.

Soft inner language when life feels slow

Slowness is often the hardest part to accept. On bad days, the mind repeats a harsh message: being slow means being useless. The system fights this message with softer lines. Slow does not mean useless. Slow can mean tired. Slow can mean careful. Slow can mean scared and still moving.

Another helpful thought is that it is better to take more time and do something well than to rush and do it badly. With this idea, delay stops being a sign of failure and becomes a form of care. Moving gently is no longer shameful; it protects future energy. This makes it easier to send one short message, complete one form, or clean one small area without falling into self-attack.

Armour, gaps, and tiny steps

Alongside this inner language, there is a strong image: armour. The person imagines an invisible shell around the self. This armour formed during hard times and stayed. When it is strong, everyday tasks feel heavy. Social contact feels risky. Old voices whisper, “This is laziness.”

The system suggests a different reading. The armour is not laziness; it is protection. It does not need to be torn off. It can open through small gaps. A gap can be a quick text to a trusted person. It can be a three-line message to the digital assistant. It can be one tiny task that lasts a few minutes. These small openings keep one thread to the outside world while the person still feels sheltered.

Body-first actions when thinking is too much

Some days, planning and problem-solving are simply too hard. Thoughts feel like static. On those days, the system starts with the body. There is a short, fixed sequence:

First, go to the toilet.
Then, check the kitchen and throw away any food that is clearly spoiled.
Next, prepare a simple breakfast or snack.
Finally, drink a glass of water.

These actions require almost no decisions. Still, they send an important signal: the body is being cared for. Even if no emails are answered and no forms are handled, these steps show that life is still held together at a basic level. Often, once they are done, one small mental task becomes possible as well.

Timesheets, empty weeks, and a blank template

Work still exists inside this story, but it arrives in a fragile way. At one point, there is a job through a temporary employment agency that uses an online portal to record hours. In that portal, one week stands out. The screen shows a week with dates, a total line that carries only a dash, and a button that allows the person to confirm and submit that empty week. In Dutch, a word such as “leegloopweek” can describe this kind of week with no paid work at all.

An empty week can easily feel like a judgement on the person. Within this system, it becomes a neutral fact that needs one simple action: open the page, accept that the hours are zero, and press the button to close the week. To make the next weeks less scary, there is a plan to get a picture of a blank timesheet. That picture becomes a personal guide: here is where the dates go, here is where the hours go, here is where to click at the end.

Public guides from large employers and universities help too. Many of them publish clear steps for time entry: log in, choose the right job line, enter start and end times, check totals, and submit before a set deadline. Seeing that big organisations also break time entry into many small moves makes the task feel less personal and less shameful. A timesheet becomes just one more standard chore that millions of people share.

Alongside the timesheet, there is another small administrative task. An airline ticket exists as a digital file. A staff member in an office has asked for a copy for records. Inside this system, that request becomes one red thing for one day: download the file, attach it to a short clear message, send, and then let it go.

Naming the folding dish rack

The search for clarity appears in the kitchen as well. At home there is a folding rack for drying dishes. To talk about it in English, several names appear: “collapsible dish rack”, “foldable dish rack”, “dish rack”, “plate rack”. After some checking, “collapsible dish rack” feels like the most accurate name, with “foldable dish rack” as a good second option. It is a tiny detail, but it matters.

Small naming wins like this lower background stress. When everyday objects have clear names, it is easier to search for them, describe them, or ask for help with them. Less confusion around the small things leaves a little more energy for the big ones.

A mini-lesson in Dutch work words

Language itself becomes a tool for reducing fear. The online work portal shows several Dutch words at key points. At first they look like a code. Over time they become a short lesson.

One verb, “uren invullen”, appears on buttons and menus. It is used when filling in working hours. Another word, “tijdregistratie”, refers to time registration in general, such as the whole system for signing in hours. A longer term, “leegloopweek”, labels a week when no hours are recorded. Knowing these few words turns the portal from a wall of unknown terms into something friendlier and easier to use.

This mini-lesson stays small on purpose. It focuses only on the words that affect daily life. That is enough to make the system feel less hostile.

A favourite number and a long-postponed repair

One quiet detail in this system is a favourite number. It links to the early part of the evening, when the day usually closes and the body starts to slow down. It also appears sometimes as a reference point in notes and reminders. When the number shows up, it acts as a soft signal: time to reset, time to breathe, time to look for the next red thing instead of trying to fix everything at once.

There is also one very practical job that fits this mood. The bed is slightly uneven and needs to be fixed. The person plans to use a calm pre-dawn stretch to do this repair. It is not a grand project; it is simply one long-delayed task that will make rest more comfortable. Inside this system, that single repair earns a place as a red thing on its own.

Conclusions

The system described here is modest but steady. It is built from early evenings, three red priorities, and a few body-first actions. Around that base circle the realities of life: online timesheets, empty work weeks, travel proofs, kitchen tools, and a bed that needs attention.

Kind inner language stops slowness from turning into self-hate. The image of armour allows safety and connection at the same time. Tiny actions for the body come before big plans for the mind. Public guides and a supportive digital assistant help with the more technical parts.

This way of living does not claim to heal everything. It offers something simpler: a shape for the day that makes it easier to keep going. On many heavy days, that is exactly what is needed.

Selected References

[1] Sleep Foundation – “What Is Circadian Rhythm?”
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm

[2] National Institute of General Medical Sciences – “Circadian Rhythms”
https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/circadian-rhythms

[3] Chris Bailey – “The Rule of Three”
https://chrisbailey.com/rule-of-three/

[4] Eastern Michigan University – “EMU Time Entry: Overview”
https://www.emich.edu/controller/payroll/training/time-entry/index.php

[5] Eastern Michigan University – “Submitting Timesheets: A Step-by-step Guide to Submitting Your Student Employee Timesheet at EMU” (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Z9TENaFKg

Appendix

Armour
An inner image of a hard shell that protects a person during hard times and can open through small gaps for brief contact or tiny actions.

Body-first actions
Simple physical steps that come before complex thinking on heavy days, such as using the toilet, throwing away spoiled food, preparing breakfast, and drinking water.

Collapsible dish rack
A folding rack for drying dishes that can be opened over the sink and folded flat when not in use, used here as an example of careful naming in daily life.

Digital assistant
A software helper that behaves like a calm organiser and listener, offering reminders, structure, and gentle language through text.

Dutch work words
Short Dutch terms that appear in an online work portal, such as “uren invullen”, “tijdregistratie”, and “leegloopweek”, which relate to filling in hours and marking empty weeks.

Red priorities
Daily tasks that are mentally marked as special and important, like bright points on a map, so they stand out from other, less urgent activities.

Rule of three
A productivity idea that suggests choosing three main outcomes for each day or week instead of trying to do everything at once.

Sleep-wake rhythm
The natural pattern of feeling sleepy and feeling awake across twenty-four hours, shaped by the body’s internal clock and by light, and supported here by an early-evening bedtime.

Temporary employment agency
An organisation that hires workers on a short-term basis and uses an online portal so they can record and submit their working hours.

Three red things
The daily practice of picking two or three important tasks and treating them as the central focus of the day, while counting any other completed tasks as a bonus.

Timesheet
A record of hours worked or hours without work, often filled in through a website or app and submitted so that pay and official records stay correct.

2025.12.13 – The Search for a Dutch Citrus Cologne on Amazon Mexico

Key Takeaways

Main points

The story follows a shopper in Mexico (North America) in December 2025 who wants a men’s cologne that is Dutch, citrus, and cheap, bought through Amazon Mexico (North America).
Dutch brands such as Mexx, Van Gils, and Rituals exist and make men’s fragrances, but they are not always easy to buy from a Mexican online cart at a good price.
A bottle of Mexx Man 50 millilitres appears with a high price, while Mexx Simply Woody 50 millilitres is cheaper but woody, not a clear citrus scent.
After many “currently unavailable” pages, the search shows how strict filters – Dutch, citrus, low price, local stock – can clash with the reality of online shopping.

Story & Details

A simple wish with many filters

The story begins with a clear and simple idea: a man in Mexico (North America) wants a perfume for daily use. He wants it to smell fresh and citrus. He wants it to be for men. He wants it to be cheap. And he wants it to come from a Dutch brand, bought directly on Amazon Mexico (North America).

On the screen, the search bar fills with words for “Dutch citrus perfume for men.” The page loads many products. Some are from well-known international brands, but the eyes look for one clue first: is the brand truly Dutch?

Meeting Mexx, the Dutch fashion label with scent

One name appears again and again: Mexx. Mexx is a fashion brand that was created in the Netherlands (Europe) in the 1980s by Rattan Chadha, who merged his earlier labels Moustache and Emmanuelle into one name, adding two kisses as “XX” at the end.[1][4][16] Over time, Mexx moved from clothes into perfumes and colognes, becoming a familiar name in European drugstores and online shops.

On Amazon Mexico (North America), a bottle of Mexx Man Eau de Toilette 50 millilitres shows up. The bottle is simple and blue. The price, however, is not simple. For a shopper on a tight budget, a figure above fifteen hundred pesos for such a small bottle feels heavy. The fragrance profile promises a fresh start, with citrus and herbs, then a soft masculine base. But the mix of small size and high cost breaks the “cheap” rule.

The shopper now adds a second wish: not only cheaper, but also larger. The hope is to find a Dutch bottle that gives more millilitres for each peso.

The cheaper bottle that changes the mood

Scrolling further, another Mexx scent appears: Mexx Simply Woody in a 50 millilitre bottle. The price is lower. On the surface, it seems like an answer. It is still a Dutch-origin brand, still a men’s fragrance, and less money than the bright blue Mexx Man.

Yet the name gives a soft warning. This fragrance is built mainly around wood and aromatic notes. It does have a light fresh opening, but the character on skin is warm, woody, and herbal rather than sparkling citrus. For someone who dreams of a lemon or orange burst that stays all day, the bottle does not fully fit the dream. The wish for “cheap and Dutch” is closer, but the wish for “citrus” is weaker.

The shopper now has to decide which rule matters more: the nationality of the brand, the type of scent, the size of the bottle, or the pressure of the wallet.

Beyond Mexx: Van Gils, Rituals, and the niche houses

To see the full picture, it helps to look at the wider Dutch perfume landscape. Mexx is not alone.

Van Gils is a long-running Dutch fragrance name. Its line includes men’s colognes such as Strictly for Men and Between Sheets, and these are still manufactured in the Netherlands (Europe).[1][9][21] The style is classic, with blends that often mix citrus top notes with woods and spices.

Rituals is another Dutch brand, founded in Amsterdam in 2000, known first for bath and body products and later for home scent and perfumes.[6][18][30] It builds a lifestyle around small daily rituals with fragrance, from shower foam to room spray to eau de parfum. Some of its men’s scents have fresh openings and more complex, warmer bases.

Then come the niche houses. Baruti is a small, independent brand based in the Netherlands (Europe) that talks about its perfumes as “explosions of scent,” mixing unusual notes into bold compositions.[13][19] Hiram Green is a Canadian-born perfumer who lives and works in the Netherlands (Europe), creating only natural perfumes in small batches in his studio near Gouda.[13][14][18] These labels are praised by perfume lovers, but their prices and their limited distribution make them more like small art projects than easy, cheap daily buys.

All of these names show that Dutch perfumery is alive and varied. However, being alive and being easily available on Amazon Mexico (North America) are not the same thing. For the shopper, many of these bottles appear only as listings that say “out of stock” or show no seller at a fair price.

When the page says “currently unavailable”

The key frustration of the story sits in a short line of text under many product names: “currently unavailable.” The shopper clicks on Van Gils Between Sheets. The product page exists, but there is no clear option to add it to the cart at a normal price. A similar thing happens with certain Rituals sets that include men’s fragrance. The images look polished, the descriptions sound inviting, yet the purchase button does not help.

This is not a problem of taste, or brand, or even of knowledge. It is a problem of stock. A search platform can show a catalogue of Dutch scents, but if no local seller is ready to ship to Mexico (North America) at that moment, the catalogue becomes a gallery, not a store.

At this point, the shopper faces a choice. One path is to keep the Dutch filter and step outside Amazon Mexico (North America), using international webshops or cross-border versions of large platforms. The other is to accept a non-Dutch brand but keep the citrus and budget filters, and pick from bottles that are fully in stock nearby.

A tiny Dutch language corner

There is one small gain from this long search: a clearer sense of how Dutch words look on the screen when reading about perfume.

A few phrases help:

goedkoop parfum
goedkoop means cheap, parfum means perfume. Together they describe an affordable bottle, not a luxury one.
Nederlandse geur
Nederlandse means Dutch, geur means scent or smell. The phrase works for any fragrance that comes from a Dutch brand or is inspired by Dutch origins.
citrusgeur voor mannen
citrusgeur joins citrus and geur into one word, so it means citrus scent. The words voor mannen mean for men. The full phrase points to exactly the wish in this story: a men’s scent with a citrus character.

These short phrases are simple building blocks. They make it easier to recognise product titles on Dutch or European sites when the shopper decides to look beyond Amazon Mexico (North America).

From narrow wish to wider options

The search shows that the original wish is not strange. A Dutch citrus cologne can feel like a nice link to a country’s style, and a low price keeps daily use relaxed. The issue is that online platforms mirror real-world supply. When many Dutch brands sell mainly in Europe, or through local chains and niche boutiques, their presence in another continent becomes thin.

For a shopper in Mexico (North America), one practical path is to treat “Dutch” as a bonus rather than a strict rule. The main target can stay clear and simple: a fresh, citrus, everyday scent that feels light on the skin and light on the bank account. Dutch brands like Mexx, Van Gils, Rituals, Baruti, and Hiram Green can stay on a wish list, ready for moments when travel, gifts, or international shipping make them easier to reach.

Conclusions

A quiet lesson from an online cart

The story of this search is not only about perfume. It is about the way tight filters meet global supply. A very narrow wish – Dutch, citrus, cheap, and locally stocked – can turn a short shopping moment into a long digital walk through empty shelves.

Dutch brands show that interesting fragrances do not belong only to one famous country of scent such as France (Europe). There is variety and creativity in the Netherlands (Europe), from big fashion-linked labels to small natural houses. Yet price, shipping, and stock often decide what a shopper in Mexico (North America) can actually wear.

The gentle takeaway is simple: keep the dream, but stay flexible. A scent can carry citrus, comfort, and a sense of identity, even when the passport of the brand is not the original first choice. For anyone who still wants to explore the wider story of perfume, a short video from an established science and nature channel shows how even animals respond to the strange power of cologne.[8] The search for a bottle on a screen is just one small part of a much longer human story of smell.

Selected References

[1] Mexx – Dutch fashion brand with a perfume line. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexx

[2] Mexx perfumes and colognes – overview of scents and Dutch base. Fragrantica. https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Mexx.html

[3] Van Gils – about the brand and its perfume range, including Between Sheets. Van Gils official site. https://www.vangils.com/en/about

[4] Van Gils perfumes and colognes – Dutch men’s fragrance house. Fragrantica. https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Van-Gils.html

[5] Rituals – about the company and its origins in Amsterdam, plus its focus on scented routines. Rituals official site. https://www.rituals.com/en-nl/lp/about-rituals

[6] History of perfume – overview of how perfume developed across regions and eras. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_perfume

[7] How scents are making travel experiences more immersive – article on smell and memory in travel. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-scents-are-making-travel-experiences-more-immersive

[8] Big Cats Wild for Calvin Klein Cologne? – short video about animal response to human cologne, by National Geographic. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znbIkKXM2p8

[9] Baruti – niche perfume brand based in the Netherlands, introduction and philosophy. Ministry of Scent. https://ministryofscent.com/collections/baruti-1

[10] Hiram Green – Canadian-born natural perfumer working in the Netherlands. Fragrantica. https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Hiram-Green.html

Appendix

Amazon Mexico
The local version of the Amazon online marketplace that serves customers in Mexico, with prices usually shown in Mexican pesos and a focus on stock that can ship within Mexico (North America).

Citrus fragrance
A perfume family built around notes such as lemon, orange, bergamot, or grapefruit, often used for fresh and light scents that feel clean and bright on the skin.

Dutch brand
A company that was founded in the Netherlands (Europe) and is still strongly linked to that country through its history, production, or identity, even if it now sells products worldwide.

Dutch language mini-lesson
A short set of Dutch phrases used in the article, such as goedkoop parfum, Nederlandse geur, and citrusgeur voor mannen, each broken down word by word to show how basic perfume terms look in Dutch.

Fragrance note
A single recognisable scent element inside a perfume, such as lemon, cedarwood, or vanilla, which combines with other notes to create the full smell.

Niche perfume
A type of fragrance produced by smaller, more specialised brands that often focus on original compositions, artistic concepts, and limited distribution rather than mass-market sales.

Online marketplace
A website or app where many different sellers offer products in one shared digital space, allowing shoppers to compare items, prices, and shipping options.

Perfume budget
The amount of money a person is willing or able to spend on fragrance, which sets limits on bottle size, brand choice, and how often new scents can be bought.

Top notes
The first smells noticed when a perfume is sprayed, usually lighter and more volatile materials such as citrus fruits or herbs that fade more quickly than the deeper heart and base notes.

2025.12.13 – Pachelbel’s Canon in D and a Concert that Helped a School in Congo

A well-known piece of classical music, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, meets a large charity concert in Madrid (Spain, Europe) and shows how a simple musical pattern can support a very real project for children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa).

Key Takeaways

What this article is about
This article explains what a musical canon is, what makes Pachelbel’s Canon in D special, and how it was used in a big charity concert for education in the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa).

The charity story in one line
On 8 June 2014, a large orchestra and choir in Madrid (Spain, Europe) played Canon in D in a concert that raised money to rebuild a free school for 2,400 children and to collect food for families in need.

Why the music matters
The piece feels calm and bright at the same time because three violins share one melody while a repeating bass pattern runs under the whole work, giving listeners a strong sense of safety and movement.

A small language extra
Short Dutch sentences about listening to the canon show how music can become part of daily speech for learners in the Netherlands (Europe).

Story & Details

A German composer with one very famous canon
Johann Pachelbel was a composer from what is now Germany (Europe). He lived from 1653 to 1706 and wrote many pieces of church and chamber music, but today one work is known almost everywhere: Pachelbel’s Canon in D. It is part of a pair of pieces called Canon and Gigue in D major for three violins and basso continuo, a small group that plays the bass and harmony.

How a canon works in simple words
A canon in music is a kind of organised echo. One voice starts a melody. After a short time, another voice starts exactly the same melody while the first one continues. Then a third voice can join, and so on. The tune overlaps with itself. The listener hears one idea, but many entrances. In Canon in D, three violins follow each other in this way, like three people walking the same path with a small delay between them.

One looping bass line under everything
Under the three violins, the bass line of Canon in D repeats the same eight-chord pattern again and again. This repeating pattern is called a ground bass or basso ostinato. The chords in D major follow this path: D – A – B minor – F sharp minor – G – D – G – A. The pattern never really changes. What changes is the rhythm and decoration of the violin parts on top. At the start, the notes move slowly. Then the music adds faster notes, dotted rhythms and small jumps. The harmony stays the same, but the feeling grows from quiet to shining.

From quiet baroque score to everyday soundtrack
For a long time, Canon in D was not widely played. In the twentieth century, new recordings on vinyl and CD brought it back. The soft, flowing sound made it popular at weddings, memorial services and slow scenes in films, especially in the United States (North America) and across Europe (Europe). Pop and rock songs began to use the same chord progression, so even people who do not know the name “Pachelbel” often feel that the harmony sounds familiar.

A concert for Congo and for families in Spain
On 8 June 2014, more than eleven years before December 2025, Canon in D formed part of a major charity concert in the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid (Spain, Europe). The event brought together a very large orchestra and choir under several conductors to support the rebuilding of a free primary school in Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa). The money helped a centre that could welcome about 2,400 children, including former child soldiers, and offer them basic education, food, and support. At the same time, food was collected outside the hall for social dining rooms, day-care centres and families in need in Spain (Europe). The concert began at 19:00 in Madrid (Spain, Europe) and at 19:00 in the Netherlands (Europe) on that same Sunday.

Dutch phrases for a musical moment
In the Netherlands (Europe), Canon in D often plays in wedding halls, churches and living rooms. Simple Dutch lines can help a learner speak about this music in daily life:

Ik luister naar de canon.
Dit is mooie muziek.
Nog een keer, alsjeblieft.

Each sentence shows something small and useful. Ik luister naar de canon uses Ik for “I” as the subject, luister as the present tense of “to listen”, naar as the small word that connects “listen” and its object, de as the common word for “the”, and canon as the noun. Dit is mooie muziek uses Dit for “this”, is for “is”, mooie as a form of “beautiful”, and muziek for “music”. Nog een keer, alsjeblieft joins nog (“again” or “still”), een (“a”), keer (“time” in the sense of repetition), and alsjeblieft, a polite but informal way to say “please”. A more formal option is alstublieft, and a shorter, neutral variant of the whole sentence is Nog een keer, graag.

A performance to watch at home
For listeners who want to see how the three violin lines and the bass line move together, one clear option is a performance on original instruments by the early music ensemble Voices of Music, filmed in high quality and shared on a well-known classical channel.

The camera shows the three violinists taking turns with the melody while the continuo group repeats the quiet bass pattern. The video makes the idea of a canon and a ground bass easy to see, not only to hear.

Conclusions

Simple notes, strong effects
Pachelbel’s Canon in D is built on very little material: one melody shared between three violins and one repeating chain of chords in the bass. From this small set of tools, the piece creates a long, smooth arc that feels safe, sad, hopeful and bright, often in the space of only a few minutes.

Music, memory and quiet help
The 2014 concert in Madrid (Spain, Europe) shows how this piece can hold more than private memories of weddings or film scenes. In that event, Canon in D helped raise money for a free school in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa) and food for families in Spain (Europe). As of December 2025, the recording of the canon on video and the written stories of the concert keep that moment alive. The melody loops, the bass repeats, and the idea of sharing through music continues its quiet work.

Selected References

Key background on the music and the concert

[1] “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Encyclopedic overview of the piece, its history, and later popularity in film and pop music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachelbel%27s_Canon

[2] “Canon and Gigue D major for three Violins and Basso continuo.” G. Henle Verlag. Short description of the original scoring and urtext edition.
https://www.henle.de/Canon-and-Gigue-D-major-for-three-Violins-and-Basso-continuo/HN-1113

[3] “Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel.” Strijkinstrumentenshop. Brief explanation of the basso ostinato and structure for general readers.
https://www.strijkinstrumentenshop.nl/en/canon-in-d.html

[4] “Concierto por El Congo 2014.” Official project page for the 8 June 2014 charity concert in Madrid with details on aims and results.
https://vocesparalapaz.com/concierto-por-el-congo/

[5] “Compra tu entrada para el concierto ‘Voces para la Paz’.” Fundación CODESPA. Article describing the concert, the school project in Goma and the food collection plan.
https://www.codespa.org/blog/2014/05/19/compra-tu-entrada-para-el-concierto-voces-para-la-paz/

[6] “‘Voces para la Paz’ para reconstruir una escuela gratuita en Congo.” Europa Press. News report on the 8 June 2014 concert and its fundraising goal.
https://www.europapress.es/cultura/musica-00129/noticia-codespa-celebra-domingo-concierto-voces-paz-reconstruir-escuela-gratuita-congo-20140606134432.html

[7] “Pachelbel Canon in D Major – the original and best version.” Voices of Music. High-quality performance on original instruments, with clear view of the three violin parts and the continuo group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNQLJ1_HQ0

Appendix

Baroque music
Baroque music is a style of classical music from about 1600 to 1750 in Europe (Europe), marked by strong bass lines, clear rhythms and often rich decoration in the melodies.

Canon
A canon is a musical form in which the same melody is played or sung by different voices, one after another, so the tune overlaps with itself in time.

Chord progression
A chord progression is a planned sequence of chords that gives a piece of music its sense of direction, tension and release.

Dutch mini-sentences
Dutch mini-sentences are short lines such as Ik luister naar de canon or Nog een keer, alsjeblieft that show everyday grammar and are easy to reuse when talking about music.

Ground bass
Ground bass is a repeating bass line that runs through much or all of a piece and supports changing melodies above it.

Ostinato
Ostinato is a short musical pattern, in rhythm or pitch, that repeats many times in a row, often in the bass, creating a feeling of stability.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Pachelbel’s Canon in D is a piece by Johann Pachelbel for three violins and basso continuo that uses a strict canon in the upper voices over a repeating eight-chord pattern in the key of D major.

Voices for Peace
Voices for Peace is a large charity music project based in Madrid (Spain, Europe) that brings together orchestral players and singers for concerts that raise money for education and basic support projects in different countries.

2025.12.13 – Sinterklaas and Christmas in the Netherlands (Europe): The Real Dates and What They Mean

Key Takeaways

In one short view

In the Netherlands (Europe), the main gift night for children is Sinterklaas on 5 December, closely linked to Saint Nicholas’ day on 6 December.
Christmas is celebrated on 25 December and 26 December, called Eerste Kerstdag and Tweede Kerstdag, both as official holidays.
Christmas Eve on 24 December is usually quiet and is not a national holiday.
Many Dutch families give most presents at Sinterklaas and use Christmas mainly for meals, visits and a calm winter mood.
A small Dutch mini-lesson with real phrases helps to read calendars and greetings without getting lost.

Story & Details

Two feasts, four important dates

Every December, life in the Netherlands (Europe) is shaped by two winter celebrations that sit a few weeks apart. The first is Sinterklaas at the start of the month. The second is Christmas at the end, spread over 25 December and 26 December. For anyone used to one single “big Christmas night” on 24 December, this Dutch rhythm can feel confusing at first.

The basic question sounds simple: what is the “real” important date for Dutch people? Is it 5 December, 6 December, 24 December, 25 December, or 26 December? The answer is that different dates play different roles.

Sinterklaas: why 5 December and 6 December both matter

Sinterklaas is the Dutch form of Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop known for giving gifts in secret. In the old church calendar, Saint Nicholas’ day is 6 December. That date is still his official name day and explains why his feast exists at the start of December.

In daily Dutch life, however, the big family moment comes on 5 December. That evening is Sinterklaasavond or Pakjesavond, the “presents evening”. Families gather, children hear stories about Sinterklaas arriving from Spain (Europe) by steamboat and riding his white horse over the roofs, and gifts appear in sacks or in funny, creative packages. For many children, this is the main moment of excitement in the whole winter.

Over time, 5 December became the central gift night in the Netherlands (Europe), while 6 December stayed in the background as the saint’s official day. This is why some people talk about Sinterklaas as “the original Dutch Christmas”: it is older than many modern Christmas customs and fills the classic role of a winter gift-bringer.

Christmas in the Netherlands: quiet 24 December, full 25 and 26 December

After Sinterklaas, attention slowly moves to Christmas. Here Dutch customs differ from places where 24 December night is the main family celebration.

Christmas Eve, 24 December, is usually still a working day in the Netherlands (Europe). Many shops and offices are open; some close a bit early. At home, the evening is often simple: a normal meal, perhaps a church service in some families, but not the universal, very late feast that appears in many films and in some other cultures. There may be candles in the windows, yet the real holidays have not started.

Those holidays arrive on 25 December and 26 December. Both days are official Christmas holidays in the Netherlands (Europe). The Dutch names are Eerste Kerstdag for 25 December and Tweede Kerstdag for 26 December. In 2025, these fall on Thursday 25 December and Friday 26 December, and many people have both days off from work or school.

On Eerste Kerstdag, families often stay close to home. A long lunch or dinner is common, with everyone dressed a bit nicer and the house decorated. A very typical Dutch choice is gourmetten: a small electric grill on the table where each person cooks tiny pieces of meat, vegetables or pancakes in little pans. The meal is slow and social. People talk, cook, eat and repeat.

Tweede Kerstdag is more flexible. Some people visit relatives they did not see the day before. Others go for winter walks, visit large shops or garden centres, or enjoy another easy meal at home. Food from the day before may appear again, but the day is still a holiday with its own light, not only a practical “leftovers day”.

Is Dutch Christmas only an “imitation”?

From the outside, it is easy to think that Dutch Christmas on 25 December and 26 December is just a copy of what happens in other countries such as the United States (North America). Sinterklaas looks very local and old; Christmas trees, Santa images and films look global and new.

The deeper story is more balanced. The religious feast of Christmas, centred on the birth of Jesus, has deep roots in the Netherlands (Europe), just as in many other parts of Europe (Europe). Church services, special music and winter dishes grew over many centuries. At the same time, modern images of Christmas with Santa Claus, big shopping days and present exchanges between adults have clearly arrived through international media, especially from countries like the United States (North America).

Today many Dutch families combine these layers. When children are young, Sinterklaas usually carries most of the presents. Christmas is used for smaller gifts, cosy meals and quiet time. When children grow older and stop believing in Sinterklaas, some families shift more presents to Christmas. Dutch winter life is therefore not a simple copy of anywhere else, but a blend of Sinterklaas and Christmas that reflects both local history and global influence.

A very short Dutch mini-lesson

December in the Netherlands (Europe) also comes with a small set of key Dutch words. Knowing them makes calendars, shop signs and TV schedules easier to read.

Here are five basic terms for the dates:

Sinterklaas – the winter figure based on Saint Nicholas.
Pakjesavond – the evening of 5 December when presents are opened.
Kerstavond – Christmas Eve on 24 December.
Eerste Kerstdag – 25 December, literally “first Christmas day”.
Tweede Kerstdag – 26 December, literally “second Christmas day”.

And here is a mini-lesson with three useful greetings, with word-by-word hints:

Prettige kerstdagen
Prettige = pleasant
kerstdagen = Christmas days
Vrolijk kerstfeest
Vrolijk = joyful or merry
kerstfeest = Christmas feast or Christmas celebration
Fijne feestdagen
Fijne = nice
feestdagen = feast days or holidays

These pairs are not slang; they are friendly, neutral ways to wish people well in December. Prettige kerstdagen and Vrolijk kerstfeest fit cards and family talk. Fijne feestdagen works for the whole season, including New Year. With just these few phrases and the date words for Sinterklaas, Eerste Kerstdag and Tweede Kerstdag, the Dutch December calendar becomes much easier to read and explain.

Conclusions

How it all fits together

December in the Netherlands (Europe) does not run on a single big Christmas Eve. Instead, it moves in two steps.

First comes Sinterklaas, tied to 5 December and the saint’s day on 6 December, when children receive their main gifts and families play with poems and surprise packages. Then come Christmas Eve and the two Christmas days at the end of the month, with a quiet 24 December and two official holidays on 25 December and 26 December that focus more on food, visits and rest.

In December 2025, this pattern is still visible: Sinterklaas has already filled early December with stories and presents, and Christmas on 25 and 26 December 2025 is still ahead, ready to bring slower days of light and shared meals. Once the roles of each date are clear, questions such as “Which is the real Christmas for them?” become easier to answer. Sinterklaas is the classic gift feast; Christmas is the double winter holiday. Together, they are simply how December works in the Netherlands (Europe).

Selected References

Appendix

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is 24 December in the Netherlands (Europe). It is usually a working day, with a simple evening at home or a church service for some families, and it is not the main national celebration or a full public holiday.

Eerste Kerstdag

Eerste Kerstdag is the Dutch name for First Christmas Day on 25 December in the Netherlands (Europe). It is an official holiday and is often spent with close family, long meals and a calm, cosy atmosphere.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country in north-western Europe (Europe) where December traditions combine Sinterklaas on 5 December with two Christmas holidays on 25 December and 26 December, plus a generally quiet Christmas Eve on 24 December.

Pakjesavond

Pakjesavond is the Dutch name for the evening of 5 December in the Netherlands (Europe), when Sinterklaas presents are opened at home, often in playful packages with poems and surprises.

Prettige kerstdagen

Prettige kerstdagen is a common Dutch greeting in the Netherlands (Europe) that wishes someone pleasant Christmas days and is widely used on cards, shop signs and in spoken greetings during December.

Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas is the Dutch winter figure based on Saint Nicholas. In the Netherlands (Europe) he is linked to 6 December as the saint’s day but is celebrated mainly on 5 December with a gift evening called Pakjesavond.

Spain

Spain is a country in south-western Europe (Europe) that appears in Dutch Sinterklaas stories as the place from which Sinterklaas travels by steamboat to the Netherlands (Europe) ahead of the 5 December celebrations.

Tweede Kerstdag

Tweede Kerstdag is the Dutch name for Second Christmas Day on 26 December in the Netherlands (Europe). It is an official holiday often used for visiting other relatives, going for winter walks or enjoying another relaxed festive meal.

2025.12.13 – A calm Monday off in Argentina and the weekend of noise around it

Key Takeaways

Monday 8 December 2025 was a non-moveable national public holiday in Argentina (South America), dedicated to the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
The holiday comes from a Catholic teaching defined in 1854 and is strongly linked with the start of Advent and Christmas traditions such as putting up the family tree.
Public offices, schools and banks closed across Argentina (South America), many shops reduced their hours, and workers who did have to work were entitled to double pay.
While streets slowed down for the last long weekend of 2025, news pages stayed busy with currency rates, politics, football, heat alerts, concerts and international tension.

Story & Details

A December Monday that was not a Monday at all

On Monday 8 December 2025, Argentina (South America) did not behave like a normal working day. It was a non-moveable national public holiday, set by Law 27.399 and by the official calendar, to mark the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. By mid-December 2025, the long weekend was already over, but the date still set the tone for the month: one last quiet break before Christmas and the New Year rush.

The idea behind the day is simple to describe but very old. In Catholic belief, the Immaculate Conception means that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin from the first moment of her life. That belief became official Catholic teaching in December 1854, when Pope Pius IX signed an important document called Ineffabilis Deus in Rome, Italy (Europe). Since then, 8 December has become one of the key Marian feast days in many countries, including Argentina (South America), Spain (Europe) and Chile (South America).

How the holiday works in daily life

In Argentina (South America), the date has very practical effects. Because it is a non-moveable national holiday, it always stays on 8 December, and the day off applies to both public and private sectors. Official lists from the national government show it among the firm holidays of the year, together with Christmas Day on 25 December. When the date falls on a Monday, like in 2025, it creates a long weekend that runs from Saturday to Monday and invites short trips, family visits or simple rest at home.

Banks close their branches. There is no in-person service and markets do not run in the usual way, but online banking and phone apps keep working. Schools and public offices shut their doors, and many businesses take the chance to close or to work with smaller staff. Buses and trains run like on a Sunday. For people who still have to go to work, labour rules treat the day like any other national holiday: the shift must be paid at double rate.

The start of Christmas in many homes

The holiday also lives inside homes. Across Argentina (South America), many families keep a simple custom: 8 December is when the Christmas tree comes out of the box. Decorations, strings of lights and small nativity scenes move from cupboards to living rooms and balconies. It is the moment when houses begin to look like Christmas, even if the summer heat is already growing outside. News articles and lifestyle pages often repeat this tradition each year and show photos of trees, lights and streets getting ready for the season.

Advent, the Christian time of waiting before Christmas, gives the date an extra layer of meaning. For many believers, the day is a chance to go to Mass or to pray. For others, even without strong religious practice, it is simply a fixed point that says: the end of the year is near, it is time to plan, to decorate and to think about time with family.

A long weekend in a country that keeps watching the numbers

Even with a day off, attention does not move away from money. On the Sunday of that long weekend, many Argentines checked the “blue dollar”, the informal exchange rate that often shows their worries about the economy. Business and news sites reported a buy price around 1,415 pesos and a sell price around 1,435 pesos during the day, tracking each small move as if it were a football match.

The formal dollar, the market rates known as MEP and cash-with-settlement, and even crypto prices appeared line by line in live blogs. Readers who had a free Monday still wanted to know if their savings, their rent or their planned trip would become more expensive by the time work started again.

Politics, conflict and football on the same screen

Politics filled the same weekend. Coverage followed President Javier Milei of Argentina (South America) and new economic and political moves by his government. At the same time, other pages watched a tense story between Venezuela (South America) and the United States (North America), with reports about sharp words and diplomatic steps involving Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump.

For many people, though, the emotional centre was sport. On one part of the sports pages, readers found details of Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine driver, racing in Formula 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On another, Boca Juniors and Racing Club prepared for a Torneo Clausura semi-final that felt bigger than a simple knockout game. Previews explained the line-ups, the referee team and the history between the clubs. Later reports described how Racing surprised Boca in the Bombonera, adding fresh drama to the long weekend.

Heat, storms and a theatre in trouble

The weather did not stay neutral. Meteorological services and news outlets warned of an orange alert for heat and storms in the province of Buenos Aires (South America) and in surrounding areas. After days of very high temperatures, the alert spoke of risk for vulnerable people and of sudden heavy rain. Reports also talked about a brief sense of relief when the heat finally began to ease.

One theatre story showed how climate and crowding can mix in a dangerous way. At Gran Rivadavia Theatre in Buenos Aires (South America), eleven people needed care from emergency medical teams after an event where the room was too full and the heat inside was too strong. The episode raised questions about capacity limits, ventilation and safety in closed spaces during hot spells.

Music, stars and quiet time at home

Not all the news was heavy. In the same days, Shakira filled Estadio Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires (South America) with three concerts on 8, 9 and 11 December. Guides explained how to get to the stadium, what time to arrive, and which songs fans could expect. Social media and entertainment sites shared photos of the singer in the city and of fans already lining up.

Another story followed Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, head of the Argentine Football Association, during a dinner at an exclusive private club in Miami in the United States (North America), where he appeared with Donald Trump and a well-known lobbyist. The image mixed football, politics and global influence in a single scene.

Lifestyle content completed the picture: daily horoscopes gave simple advice about love, health and money; online games such as crosswords and sudoku offered a quiet way to spend time; a “day/night mode” switch let readers choose a light or dark screen; and subscription offers invited them to pay for deeper coverage. The long weekend was a public pause, but the digital world stayed active.

A small Dutch language corner

For readers in the Netherlands (Europe), similar year-end questions appear, even if the calendar is different. A short language note can help. In Dutch, the word feestdag is often used for a public holiday, and lang weekend is a simple way to say long weekend. These small phrases mirror the mix of rest and movement that 8 December brought to Argentina (South America): time away from work, but not away from life.

Conclusions

The Day of the Immaculate Conception in December 2025 shows how a very old religious idea still shapes daily life in a modern country. In Argentina (South America), the teaching that Mary was free from original sin at her conception has turned into a fixed Monday off, the last long weekend of the year and the unofficial start of Christmas at home.

The same days also show another truth. Even when offices close and streets grow quieter, people keep watching exchange rates, elections, football scores, weather alerts and concert schedules. Life does not stop; it only changes speed.

By mid-December 2025, the long weekend has passed, the Christmas trees are already standing in many living rooms, and attention is moving to Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The quiet Monday of 8 December sits in memory as a short, needed pause in a year that rarely stood still.

Selected References

[1] Government of Argentina – “Feriados nacionales 2025”, official list of non-moveable and moveable national holidays, including 8 December for the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and 25 December for Christmas. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/feriados-nacionales-2025

[2] La Nación – News feature explaining why Monday 8 December 2025 is a non-moveable national holiday in Argentina and how it links to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception and to the tradition of putting up the Christmas tree. https://www.lanacion.com.ar/feriados/2025/hoy-es-feriado-que-se-conmemora-este-8-de-diciembre-nid08122025/

[3] Infobae – Article on the 2025 holiday calendar that describes Monday 8 December as a public holiday in Argentina due to the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and notes that it marks the beginning of Christmas preparations in many homes. https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2025/12/03/calendario-2025-por-que-es-feriado-el-lunes-8-de-diciembre/

[4] iProfesional – Explainer on the 8 December 2025 holiday in Argentina, citing Law 27.399, describing the date as a non-moveable national holiday, and outlining labour rules on double pay for those who work that day. https://www.iprofesional.com/politica/443549-lunes-8-diciembre-2025-es-feriado-o-dia-no-laborable

[5] El Eco – Local outlet article describing the 8 December 2025 holiday as the last long weekend of the year in Argentina and linking it to the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. https://www.eleco.com.ar/instruyendo-al-ciudadano/feriado-del-8-de-diciembre-el-ultimo-fin-de-semana-largo-del-2025

[6] EWTN – English presentation of Pius IX’s apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus, which formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 1854. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/pius-ixs-ineffabilis-deus-defining-the-immaculate-conception-153

[7] Vatican News – Liturgical and historical overview of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, including its roots, later development and key quotation from Ineffabilis Deus. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mar.html

[8] Vatican News – Article on the Immaculate Conception in the words of different popes, published on 8 December 2025, placing the dogma in a wider spiritual and historical frame. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-12/the-immaculate-conception-in-the-hearts-and-words-of-the-popes.html

[9] Clarín – December 2025 holiday calendar pieces and news coverage that describe 8 December as a national holiday in Argentina, give travel and long-weekend advice, and report on related news such as the blue dollar, football and concerts. https://www.clarin.com/informacion-general/calendario-feriados-diciembre-2025-dias-laborables-asuetos-fin-semana-largo-feriados-mes_0_swFXw3ZC7A.html

[10] Vatican News (YouTube) – “Angelus of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception”, video coverage of the papal Angelus on 8 December from Vatican News’ official channel, offering a visual and spoken explanation of the feast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZBZtYVp1A

Appendix

Advent
Christian time of preparation before Christmas, usually marked by four Sundays, with prayers and readings that look toward the birth of Jesus.

Argentina
Country in the south of the American continent, Argentina (South America) has a national calendar in which 8 December is a non-moveable public holiday for the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Boca Juniors
One of the most popular football clubs in Argentina (South America), based in Buenos Aires and often in the news during big matches such as the Torneo Clausura semi-final against Racing Club.

Christmas tree
Decorated tree, real or artificial, used as a main symbol of Christmas in many homes; in Argentina (South America) it is common to put it up on 8 December.

Immaculate Conception
Catholic teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin from the first moment of her existence, officially defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854.

Long weekend
Period of three or more days off in a row, when a public holiday falls next to a Saturday and Sunday and gives people extra time to rest, travel or visit family.

Netherlands
Country in north-western Europe, the Netherlands (Europe) shares the same time zone as many central European countries and has its own list of public holidays, although 8 December is not a national holiday there.

Pope Pius IX
Head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878, Pope Pius IX signed Ineffabilis Deus in 1854, the document that defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Shakira
Colombian singer and songwriter known worldwide, who performed three major concerts at Estadio Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Argentina (South America), on 8, 9 and 11 December 2025.

Vatican News
Official media service of the Holy See, based in Vatican City (Europe), which publishes articles and videos about papal events, liturgical feasts and Catholic teaching, including the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

2025.12.13 – A Dutch Mobile Number, a Red Warning, and a Safer Way to Answer

Key Takeaways

Quick points

A mobile number that starts with +31 6 is a Dutch mobile number from the Netherlands (Europe), but the digits alone do not reveal who is calling.
When a phone marks a call as suspected spam, that warning is based on real patterns and reports, and it is usually wise not to return the call.
Many scam calls pretend to be police, tax offices, or banks and try to create fear so that people share personal data or move money.
Simple habits such as hanging up, not calling back, and blocking the number help protect both money and peace of mind.

Story & Details

A red mark on a quiet call list

In December 2025, a smartphone owner opened the phone app and saw a very short list of recent calls. Only one number stood out. It was written as +31 6 20817189, and next to it the phone showed a red icon and its own label for a suspected spam call. The call had not been answered. It was just sitting there, a single missed ring, but it raised a big question: was this something dangerous or just an annoying sales call?

The owner did not recognise the number. There was no message, no saved contact, no friendly name. Only the system warning and the feeling that something might be wrong.

What the Dutch number really says

The number itself gives a few solid clues. The code +31 shows that it belongs to the Netherlands (Europe). The next part, starting with 6, shows that it is a mobile number, because Dutch mobile numbers always start with 06 when dialled inside the country and with +31 6 when written in international form.[1][2]

Looking up this specific range in public information showed that it fits into a block used by a major Dutch mobile provider. Open “who called me” sites list it together with other numbers that people marked as suspicious or annoying. None of these sources, however, can prove the name of a real person or company behind the call.[3][4][5][6] The picture that appears is clear in one way and foggy in another: the number is real and Dutch, but the identity of the caller remains hidden.

How common phone scams sound

The unclear identity would be less worrying if phone scams in the Netherlands (Europe) were rare. They are not. In recent years, anti-fraud services and news outlets have reported thousands of cases where people received calls in English or Dutch from voices claiming to be police, courts, tax offices, immigration services, or banks.[1][4][5][6]

The pattern repeats. Someone calls, often from a normal-looking Dutch number. The caller says that a citizen service number or bank account is linked to crime, unpaid tax, or a serious investigation. The tone is urgent. The caller may say that money must be moved to a “safe” account or that personal data must be checked at once. In some cases, victims are told not to speak to friends or family and to stay online with the scammer for hours.[4][5][6][18]

Fraudehelpdesk, the national anti-fraud hotline in the Netherlands (Europe), warns people never to move money or install software because of such calls and not to share personal details or one-time codes.[3] Dutch and international students receive extra warnings, because they are often far from home, unsure about local rules, and easier to frighten.[18]

A tiny Dutch number lesson

The suspicious mobile number also offers a small, practical Dutch lesson. Dutch mobile numbers follow a simple pattern: 06 followed by eight more digits inside the country, or +31 6 followed by eight digits from abroad.[1][2][11] When people read them out loud in Dutch, they often break them into groups. For example, 06 becomes “nul zes” and +31 becomes “plus eenendertig”. Learning this little rhythm makes it easier to recognise when a strange call really matches a normal Dutch mobile pattern and when a number looks unusual.

Knowing the structure does not make the call safe, but it helps separate what is normal for the system from what is risky in human behaviour on the other side of the line.

Choosing safety over curiosity

Given all this, the safest reaction to the mysterious missed call is simple. There is no need to call back. A return call only confirms that the number is active and that someone is willing to pick up. It is safer to trust the phone’s spam warning, block the number, and move on. If a real friend, company, or authority needed to reach this phone, they could call again, leave a clear message, or use another trusted channel such as a secure website or a letter.[1][3][4][9][18][19][23][24][34]

When calls do come through and the person on the line starts to sound like the scams described above, the advice from police, universities, and consumer services is very direct: hang up, do not send money, do not give personal data, and do not let anyone install software on the phone or computer.[1][3][4][9][18][19][23][24][34] Real officials do not ask for bank cards, PIN codes, or large transfers by phone.

In this way, a single red-marked number on a quiet screen becomes a reminder of a wider story. Technology gives early warnings. Public services explain common tricks. The final step is the small, human decision to press “end call” or “block” instead of giving in to fear or curiosity.

Conclusions

A calm ending to a noisy problem

Unknown calls will always appear, especially as criminals keep testing new tricks to reach people in the Netherlands (Europe) and in other countries. The good news is that staying safe does not require perfect technical knowledge or long checklists. It asks for a few calm habits: listen for pressure, doubt any caller who uses fear, and feel free to end the call at once.

A red spam warning next to a Dutch mobile number is not a reason to panic. It is a small signal to protect personal data and money by doing less, not more: no call back, no code shared, no app installed, and, if in doubt, a quick check with trusted sources instead of with the unknown voice on the line.

Selected References

[1] “Telephone numbers in the Netherlands.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_numbers_in_the_Netherlands

[2] “Dutch phone numbers.” IamExpat. https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/communication/dutch-phone-number

[3] “I have been called by an English spoken tape.” Fraudehelpdesk, national anti-fraud hotline of the Netherlands (Europe). https://www.fraudehelpdesk.nl/fraude/i-have-been-called-by-an-english-spoken-tape/

[4] “How to spot and stop scams in the Netherlands.” Leiden International Centre. https://www.leideninternationalcentre.nl/get-advice/blogs/how-to-spot-and-stop-scams-in-the-netherlands

[5] “English-language scammers posing as Dutch authorities stole €1.7 million.” NL Times. https://nltimes.nl/2022/07/26/english-language-scammers-posing-dutch-authorities-stole-eu17-million

[6] “Scam phone calls amount to at least €1.7 million in damages in the Netherlands.” DutchReview. https://dutchreview.com/news/scam-phone-calls-1-7-million-damage-in-the-netherlands/

[7] “Fraudsters faking government, police phone numbers.” CBC News: The National. YouTube video on phone scammers pretending to be officials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xPEfuzaQsA

Appendix

Caller ID spoofing
Caller ID spoofing is the practice of changing the number that appears on a phone screen so that a call seems to come from a trusted source, such as a local number or an official organisation, even when it does not.

Dutch mobile number
A Dutch mobile number is a ten-digit phone number used for mobile phones in the Netherlands (Europe), written as 06 followed by eight digits inside the country or as +31 6 followed by eight digits when dialled from abroad.

Fraud Helpdesk
Fraud Helpdesk is the national anti-fraud centre in the Netherlands (Europe), where people can report scams and get advice on how to respond to suspicious calls, messages, and other forms of fraud.

Scam call
A scam call is a phone call in which the caller tries to trick the person who answers into sharing personal information, handing over money, or installing harmful software.

Spam label on a phone
A spam label on a phone is an automatic warning created by the phone or the phone network that marks a call as likely to be unwanted or risky, based on past reports and patterns.

2025.12.13 – When a “New Number Scam Case” Pops Up in WhatsApp

Key Takeaways

Clear subject
This article looks at one simple situation: a phone user sees an old WhatsApp contact saved as “New Number Scam Case WhatsApp” and wonders whether to send a message.

Human reaction
Curiosity and doubt mix together. The user wants to know who is behind the number with the Dutch country code +31 from the Netherlands (Europe), but also wants to stay safe.

Practical lesson
The safest options are very simple: do nothing, or send one neutral message with no personal details and be ready to block and report.

Digital hygiene
Basic habits such as not sharing codes, using privacy settings, and learning to read scam warnings keep daily chat life calm and protected.

Story & Details

A contact with a warning in its name
Months before December 2025, a mobile user received a strange interaction from an unknown number that started with +31 6, a Dutch mobile prefix from the Netherlands (Europe). The exact words of the message are no longer clear. What stayed in memory was only a strong sense that something felt wrong. Instead of answering more, the user saved the number under a loud, private label: “New Number Scam Case WhatsApp.” The name was a personal red flag, a quick reminder that this contact was not trusted.

A quiet morning, a loud question
On a December morning at about 07:50 local time and 07:50 in the Netherlands (Europe), the user opened WhatsApp and tapped into the search bar. The words “new s” appeared on the screen. Below, the app listed different suggestions: “New Number Scam Case WhatsApp” as a mobile contact, and then playful prompts such as “New song playlist releases,” “New site casino 2025 reviews,” “New scalp psoriasis treatments 2025,” and “New wealth management’s.” The contact list looked light and random, but the serious label stood out against the soft coastal profile picture linked to the suspicious number.

Curiosity versus caution
Seeing that picture made the number feel more human for a moment. The user realised that, because the number had been saved earlier, WhatsApp now showed it like any other contact. A simple idea appeared: send a short message and ask who it is. If the person answered kindly, the mystery would be solved. If the reply looked strange, that would confirm the old suspicion.

At the same time, a more careful voice raised a different point. Any message sent to that number would confirm that the account is active. For a scammer, this is useful information. It can invite new attempts, more messages, and possibly more pressure.

One safe message, or none at all
The user shaped a possible text in very simple English: “Hello, this number is in the contact list but the name is not clear. Who is this, please?” The wording avoided details: no location, no job, no family links, no mention of money or codes. The plan was also clear. If the answer included links, urgent requests, or demands for verification codes, the chat would stop immediately.

This private debate reflects a common pattern. People want clarity, but online safety experts repeat the same guidance: unknown numbers do not deserve trust just because they appear in a familiar app. Platform tools such as blocking and reporting exist for exactly these moments. They are normal, everyday actions, not a last resort.

A tiny Dutch language detour
For anyone who lives in or travels to the Netherlands (Europe), small Dutch words on official sites can help when checking a number like this. When a page uses terms such as “vreemd bericht” for a strange message or “oplichting” for fraud, it often points to advice on what to do next. Learning to recognise only a few of these words already makes it easier to read local warnings and decide whether a contact should stay, be checked, or be deleted.

Living with unanswered questions
In the end, the most important part of this story is not whether the user sends that one neutral message. The deeper lesson is that it is acceptable to leave some questions unresolved. Protecting daily peace of mind can matter more than proving exactly who was on the other side of a suspicious number.

Conclusions

Safety over certainty
Unknown WhatsApp numbers with dramatic labels do not always lead to clear endings. Sometimes the safest answer is silence. The number can simply stay blocked or ignored, and life goes on.

Simple rules that travel well
A short set of habits keeps people safe in many countries, from the Netherlands (Europe) to India (Asia). Never share verification codes. Be careful with links. Use the block and report buttons without guilt. Ask local help services for advice when in doubt.

A calm way to look at new numbers
When a name like “New Number Scam Case WhatsApp” appears on the screen, it is a reminder to pause. A calm look at the name, the past feelings, and the simple options at hand often gives enough information. Digital life feels lighter when every user gives themselves permission to protect their space first and answer their curiosity second.

Selected References

[1] WhatsApp. “Security Features, Safety Tools & Tips.” https://www.whatsapp.com/security

[2] WhatsApp. “How to protect yourself from suspicious messages and scams.” https://faq.whatsapp.com/573786218075805

[3] Fraudehelpdesk. “Home.” https://www.fraudehelpdesk.nl/

[4] Europol. “The scam-aware mindset: simple habits to stay protected.” https://www.europol.europa.eu/operations-services-and-innovation/public-awareness-and-prevention-guides/scam-aware-mindset-simple-habits-to-stay-protected

[5] NCERT Official. “Webinar on ICT Tools: WhatsApp Safety and Security.” YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1dyMsCoVE

Appendix

Block and report
A simple pair of tools inside WhatsApp that stops a contact from sending more messages and sends information about suspicious behaviour to the platform so that it can act if needed.

Dutch mini-lesson
Dutch fraud pages often use short phrases such as “vreemd bericht” for a strange message and “oplichting” for fraud. Recognising these words helps readers understand when a site is giving warnings and advice about scams in the Netherlands (Europe).

Fraud Helpdesk
A national service in the Netherlands (Europe) that warns about fraud, gives advice to people who may be victims, and points them towards other official bodies for more help.

Unknown number
Any phone or WhatsApp contact that appears without a clear link to a real person in everyday life. Treating these numbers with care, or not answering them at all, reduces the chance of falling for social tricks.

WhatsApp verification code
A six-digit code that WhatsApp sends by text or call to confirm control of a phone number. This code should never be shared with anyone, because it allows another person to take over the account.

2025.12.13 – Long Necks and Small Trunks: How Four Mammals Make Evolution Easy to See

Key Takeaways

A long neck or a long trunk is useful only when the benefits in a given place are bigger than the costs for the body.
Giraffes and okapis share the same family, yet one became very tall and the other stayed compact because they live in very different habitats.
Elephants and tapirs both have flexible snouts, but elephants turned theirs into a giant trunk while tapirs kept a short “mini-trunk” that fits life in forests and wetlands.
Evolution works step by step; it does not plan ahead and it does not try to give every animal the same “best” design.

Story & Details

This article looks at a simple question: if long necks and trunks are so helpful, why do only some animals have them? The story uses four mammals as guides: giraffes, okapis, elephants, and tapirs. It also takes place in the scientific world of December 2025, when new papers and videos continue to update these ideas.

Giraffes live in open savannas in Africa (Africa). Their bodies are famous: very long legs, a long neck that can reach more than two metres, and a strong heart that pushes blood all the way up to the head. Scientists see several reasons for such height. A tall giraffe can reach leaves that other animals cannot touch, especially during dry seasons. A tall giraffe can also see predators sooner. Male giraffes fight by swinging their necks like heavy hammers. These fights, called necking, help decide which males can mate. All these things together make long necks useful, even if they are hard to build and to keep.

The okapi, the closest living relative of the giraffe, shows what happens when the world is different. Okapis live in dense forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa). The forest is dark and full of trees. Food grows at low and medium heights, not at the tops of isolated acacia trees. A very long neck would get stuck in branches and make the animal easy to see. Instead, the okapi has a much shorter neck, a dark body, and pale stripes on its legs that help it blend into the shadows. The okapi still browses on leaves, like the giraffe, but it does not need an extreme body plan to do so.

A similar contrast appears with elephants and tapirs. Elephants are huge herbivores that live in parts of Africa (Africa) and Asia (Asia). Their legs are thick and strong. Their heads carry heavy skulls and tusks. Making the neck longer would be difficult and risky. Instead, their snout and upper lip grew into a trunk with many muscles. The trunk lets an elephant reach high branches, pick up small objects, drink water, and smell the world without moving the whole body each time. It is a kind of built-in arm, hose, and nose in one.

Tapirs, found in South America (South America) and Southeast Asia (Asia), have a different life. They are smaller than elephants and prefer forests, river edges, and muddy paths. Tapirs also have a flexible snout, but it is short. It is just long enough to pick leaves and fruit, to smell well, and to act as a small snorkel when the animal slips into the water. A giant trunk would not bring much extra benefit in this setting. The tapir’s “mini-trunk” is a good compromise: useful, but cheap for the body to maintain.

These four species show that evolution is not about making the most dramatic shape possible. A long neck needs more bone, more muscle, and very careful blood pressure control. A long trunk needs thousands of small muscles and strong links between skull and skin. If an animal does not gain much from such a structure, it is safer for its lineage to stay with a simpler neck or nose. Evolution keeps changes that help survival and reproduction in a specific place, not in every place.

This idea also explains why the question “Why do other animals not copy this?” is tricky. Giraffes and okapis share ancestors that already had some neck length and leg length. Elephants and tapirs share older relatives with snouts that were a bit longer than usual. Each group started from its own “base body” and faced its own mix of trees, grass, rivers, predators, and rivals. Small changes that helped in one setting did not always help in another. The result is a patchwork of body plans, each one making sense for its own history and landscape.

Languages give a friendly way to feel these differences. In Dutch, the word giraf points to the tall, spotted browser, and the word olifant points to the massive animal with the trunk. A simple sentence such as Er staat een giraf in de kamer can be a playful way to say that something very obvious stands in front of everyone. These tiny shifts in words mirror the larger shifts in bodies: the same basic idea, but shaped by context.

As of December 2025, researchers still discuss how much of the giraffe neck story comes from feeding high, how much from fighting for mates, and how much from watching for danger. Other teams still study bones and soft tissue to understand how trunks and mini-trunks grew from earlier snouts. The details stay in motion, but the main message is already clear: evolution is a local, practical artist, not a designer with a single perfect plan.

Conclusions

Giraffes, okapis, elephants, and tapirs are part of the same broad group of mammals, yet they carry very different solutions to the problems of eating, moving, and staying safe. Giraffes trade heavy bodies and complex hearts for height and reach. Okapis trade height for camouflage and agility in deep forest. Elephants trade a long neck for a strong trunk. Tapirs stop partway and keep a smaller, simpler proboscis.

These choices are not conscious. They are the result of many generations where some shapes worked a little better than others in a given place. Over long times, those small advantages became big differences. The world in December 2025 still holds all four animals, and their bodies quietly tell this story every day: evolution is not about getting everything; it is about getting enough for here and now.

Selected References

[1] Williams, E. M. “Giraffe stature and neck elongation: vigilance as an evolutionary mechanism.” Biology, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27626454/

[2] Simmons, R. E., and Scheepers, L. “Winning by a Neck: Sexual Selection in the Evolution of Giraffe.” The American Naturalist, 1996. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/285955

[3] Milewski, A. V., and collaborators. “Structural and functional comparison of the proboscis between tapirs and other extant and extinct vertebrates.” Journal of Zoology, 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23586563/

[4] National Geographic. “Ancient Elephant Ancestor Lived in Water, Study Finds.” 2008. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/elephant-ancestor-evolution-water

[5] DutchPod101. “Animal Names in Dutch.” 2021. https://www.dutchpod101.com/blog/2021/11/17/dutch-animal-words/

[6] PBS Eons. “Why The Giraffe Got Its Neck.” YouTube video, about 9 minutes, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng1hVUozyuQ

Appendix

Dutch mini-lesson
Dutch uses short, clear animal names such as de giraf and de olifant, and simple sentences like Er staat een giraf in de kamer can make big animals part of everyday talk in a playful way.

Elephant
A very large herbivorous mammal from parts of Africa (Africa) and Asia (Asia) with thick legs, a heavy head, tusks, and a long muscular trunk used for breathing, smelling, drinking, feeding, and gentle or strong pushing.

Evolution
A slow change in living things over many generations, where some inherited traits become more common because they help organisms survive and have offspring in their own environments.

Giraffe
A tall browsing mammal from savannas and open woodlands in Africa (Africa) with long legs, a very long neck, patterned coat, and a strong heart that helps move blood up to the head.

Natural selection
A process where individuals with traits that fit their surroundings a little better tend to survive and leave more offspring, so those traits spread through the population over time.

Okapi
A forest-dwelling mammal from central Africa (Africa), closely related to the giraffe, with a shorter neck, a dark body, and pale leg stripes that help it stay hidden among trees.

Proboscis
A flexible extension of the nose and upper lip, such as an elephant trunk or a tapir’s short snout, that can grasp food, move objects, and explore the environment.

Tapir
A sturdy, plant-eating mammal from forests and wetlands in South America (South America) and Southeast Asia (Asia) with a rounded body, small tail, and a short flexible snout that works like a small trunk.

2025.12.13 – Cold Weather, Hot Showers: What Science Really Says About Daily Bathing

Key Takeaways

Short answer

A daily full-body shower is not medically required for most healthy people.
In winter, cold air and indoor heating dry the skin; very hot, long showers make this worse.
Many dermatology experts suggest short, warm showers, washing key body areas every day, and changing underwear, socks, and main clothes daily.
Rich, simple moisturizers help protect the skin barrier after bathing.
People with very sensitive skin or eczema should follow personal advice from a dermatologist.

Story & Details

A winter question in 2025

The year is twenty twenty-five. Winter is back in many places, from Mexico (North America) to the Netherlands (Europe). Heaters are on, air is dry, and the same old question returns: is it good or bad to take a shower when it is very cold outside?

A recent short video by dermatologist Polo Guerrero, filmed in a bright marble bathroom, puts this question in simple words. The message is calm: daily bathing is not “wrong”, but the way it is done in winter can hurt the skin if care is not taken.

What the social media doctor actually says

In the clip, the doctor talks about the parts of the body that really need daily cleaning. Hands are on the list, of course. So are the armpits and the genitals. He adds the area covered by underwear and the feet, together with the socks and underwear themselves.

The idea is clear. Even if the whole body is not washed from head to toe every single day, these high-sweat, high-bacteria zones should be washed with water and gentle soap. Fresh underwear and socks should be used every day as well. Clothing that touches these areas for many hours gathers sweat, natural body oils, and microbes. Fresh fabric helps the body feel clean even if the rest of the skin has had a lighter wash.

The doctor also explains what happens to skin in cold seasons. Indoor heating and cold wind remove water from the outer layer of the skin. Very hot showers remove the natural oils that protect that layer. The result can be flaky white lines on the legs, rough patches on the arms, chapped lips, and even red, itchy areas that look like a rash. To lower this risk, he suggests:

using warm, not scalding, water;
keeping the shower short;
applying simple moisturizers on the skin after bathing;
paying extra attention to areas that already tend to be dry.

The tone is not strict. The message is more “take care of your skin” than “you must wash in one exact way.”

How this compares with medical advice

Large medical organizations give very similar guidance.

Harvard Health Publishing in the United States (North America) notes that many adults do not need a full-body shower every day, especially if they have not sweated much or done heavy physical work. Long, hot showers and strong soaps remove the oils that help the skin hold water. This can lead to dryness, itching, and cracks that let in irritants and germs. Their advice is to keep showers short, use warm water, mild cleansers, and moisturize the skin after stepping out of the shower [1][2].

The American Academy of Dermatology, which represents many skin specialists, also warns that dry skin becomes more common in cold weather. The group recommends baths or showers of about five to ten minutes, with lukewarm water instead of very hot water. It suggests gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and a thick moisturizer applied while the skin is still a little damp. Scrubbing with rough cloths or brushes is discouraged because it can damage the skin surface [3].

Cleveland Clinic, a major hospital group, explains that there is no single “correct” number of showers per week. For many people, showering every two or three days is enough, unless they sweat a lot through exercise or work. The focus is on washing the areas that smell most, such as armpits, groin, and feet, while protecting the natural balance of the skin. Their health experts also stress the importance of lukewarm water and moisturizing afterwards, especially for those who live with eczema or very dry skin [4]. One of their video resources shows how lukewarm showers can help calm eczema flare-ups rather than making them worse [5].

Taken together, these sources strongly support the core messages of the social media clip: daily full-body showers are optional for many healthy people, but daily hygiene of key zones, moderate water temperature, short shower time, and good moisturizers are important.

A tiny Dutch language corner

Cold seasons can feel different in every country, but some words travel well. In Dutch, the language spoken in the Netherlands (Europe), the word “douche” refers to the shower itself. “Droge huid” describes dry skin, and “warme sokken” evokes the comfort of warm socks on a cold day. Remembering words like these can be a playful way to keep in mind the link between short, warm showers, well-cared-for skin, and simple winter comforts.

What this means for everyday life

For a healthy adult with no special skin problems, this mix of advice points toward a gentle routine:

Short, warm showers most days of the week are more than enough. On busy or very cold days, a quick wash of hands, armpits, genitals, and feet, plus a full change of underwear, socks, and main clothes, keeps basic hygiene in place. A soft towel pat-down and an unscented body lotion or cream help close the routine and protect the skin barrier.

Children, older adults, and people with long-term skin conditions may need different routines. Their skin can be thinner or more sensitive. In those cases, a dermatologist can give advice that matches age, health, and local climate.

Conclusions

Skin care, not shower counting

Modern life often turns hygiene into a strict rule. Many people feel guilty if they skip a daily full-body shower, even on a quiet winter day at home. Current medical guidance suggests a kinder view. What matters most is not the exact number of showers, but how the skin is treated during and after them.

Short, warm showers, clean key areas, daily fresh clothes, and a simple moisturizer form a solid base for winter care. This matches both expert advice and the calm, practical message from the social media doctor in the marble bathroom.

In the cold months of twenty twenty-five and beyond, a routine like this can help the body stay clean, the skin stay comfortable, and the bathroom stay a place of warmth instead of worry.

Selected References

[1] Harvard Health Publishing. “Showering daily — is it necessary?” Harvard Medical School, United States (North America). Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193

[2] Harvard Health Publishing. “11 tips to prevent dry winter skin.” Harvard Medical School, United States (North America). Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/11-tips-to-prevent-dry-winter-skin

[3] American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Dry skin: Tips for relieving.” United States (North America). Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dry-skin-relief

[4] Cleveland Clinic. “How Often Should You Shower?” United States (North America). Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-shower

[5] Cleveland Clinic. “Can Lukewarm Showers Soothe Eczema Flare-Ups?” YouTube video. United States (North America). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=982DPzyq7Tw

Appendix

Dermatologist
A medical doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, including problems such as dry skin, eczema, acne, and many rashes.

Dry skin
Skin that has lost too much water or oil, often feeling rough, tight, or itchy and sometimes showing fine white lines or small cracks on the surface.

Dutch winter words
A small group of Dutch terms linked to cold days, such as “douche” for shower, “droge huid” for dry skin, and “warme sokken” for warm socks, used here as a gentle reminder of everyday winter comfort.

Eczema
A group of skin conditions that cause red, itchy, and inflamed patches, which can become worse when the skin is very dry or exposed to strong soaps and very hot water.

Lukewarm water
Water that feels comfortably warm but not hot on the skin, usually close to normal body temperature, often advised for gentle bathing and showering.

Moisturizer
A cream, lotion, or ointment that helps the skin hold water and stay soft by adding moisture and sealing it in with oils or other protective ingredients.

Shower routine
The set of regular habits used for washing the body, including how often a person bathes, which products are chosen, the water temperature, and how long each shower lasts.

Winter skin
The way skin tends to behave in cold seasons, often becoming drier and more sensitive because of cold outdoor air and heated indoor spaces that lower humidity.

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Main points

Story & Details

A simple wish with many filters

Meeting Mexx, the Dutch fashion label with scent

The cheaper bottle that changes the mood

Beyond Mexx: Van Gils, Rituals, and the niche houses

When the page says “currently unavailable”

A tiny Dutch language corner

From narrow wish to wider options

Conclusions

A quiet lesson from an online cart

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

In one short view

Story & Details

Two feasts, four important dates

Sinterklaas: why 5 December and 6 December both matter

Christmas in the Netherlands: quiet 24 December, full 25 and 26 December

Is Dutch Christmas only an “imitation”?

A very short Dutch mini-lesson

Conclusions

How it all fits together

Selected References

Read more about dates and holidays

Appendix

Christmas Eve

Eerste Kerstdag

Netherlands

Pakjesavond

Prettige kerstdagen

Sinterklaas

Spain

Tweede Kerstdag

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Quick points

Story & Details

A red mark on a quiet call list

What the Dutch number really says

How common phone scams sound

A tiny Dutch number lesson

Choosing safety over curiosity

Conclusions

A calm ending to a noisy problem

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions

Selected References

Appendix

Key Takeaways

Story & Details

Conclusions