The World Cup has returned, and Aalborg Hotel Amsterdam is celebrating by showing all games live at our bar, with drink specials like two-for-one brews and free shots to fans rooting for winning teams. We’re also handing out an array of orange gadgets to participate in and whole-heartedly support the sea of orange junk flooding the streets of Amsterdam.

Yes, those of us at Aalborg Hotel Amsterdam are proud of our treasure box of wigs, whistles and other whacky stuff. We can proudly shower our guests with Dutch football fan accessories knowing that our fine pick of thingamajigs took careful consideration. There’s a never-ending list of classy orange paraphernalia out there, and aside from noisemakers sounding like dying cats choices are never easy. Here are some tasteful runner-up doodads we thoughtfully, yet hesitantly, left for the masses to consume.

The Brulshirt: A shirt with a lion face and flap on the front that, when lifted, reveals a set of fangy wildcat teeth twice the size of a torso. The Brulshirt screams, “I’m ready to party… and eat your face off.” Perfect for mutes struggling to express themselves, and those who feel like hollering obscenities to tourists around Dam square just doesn’t get across a fan’s sincere level of excitement. A tempting buy, but we stuck with noisemakers.

Bongostampers: Cute, but it’s not very Dutch of someone to start stomping left and right when Holland scores. Nor is usual to celebrate a World Cup win by busting out a bongo set and banging the hell out of it at a party. We prefer jumping, leaning on friends and knocking over things. Although bongostampers are clearly a ladies’ accessory that says, “I’m a sexy winner… and wish my leg hair was this orange and fuzzy,” we show our support for fuzzy hair by way of wigs… the kind you wear on your head.

Shirt burgers: Weird-looking, orange and breaded mini burgers shaped like shirts. Anything in “mini” size is adorable to eat, but there’s something strange about biting into a piece of meat shaped like clothing. Plus, it’s like trying to eat a cake that looks like a piece of brown cardboard – who wants bland and roughness when eating a burger? And meat with orange breading? Why?

Aalborg Hotel Amsterdam welcomes all brulshirts, bongostampers and shirt-burger lovers to swing by for daily World Cup drink specials and show off their orange flair. In the meantime we’ll provide a wig-wearing, whistle-blowing vibe open to all things that point to “Hup Holland!”. And who knows what celebrations lie before us because, despite its peculiarity, bongo sessions ain’t all that bad.

- A. Sykes

1. Join our Facebook Page at: Aalborg Hotel Amsterdam

2.”Share” our Aalborg Hotel Website (www.aalborg.nl) on your Facebook profile

3. You are automatically entered for our monthly contest.

The winner will receive a 2 night stay for you and a friend (or Girlfriend, or Mother, or Boss if that tickles your fancy), Bicycles, Free Internet and Breakfast.

The Aalborg Pack wishes you a Lucky Strike!

Please note: Date of Arrival is subject to availability.