It’s funny how little things like Rimowa amenity kits or teddy bears on Gulf Air can be so exciting. Perhaps a bit pathetic. But my current kick (much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m sure, in our small house) is miniature Delft Blue houses given to World Business Class passengers on KLM.
These decanter houses, filled with Dutch gin known as genever, have been a staple in business class on KLM flights since the 1950s.
KLM has a website dedicated to these houses, a mobile app picturing each house, and a hardcover collector’s guide. Each year on October 7th a new house is produced and some of the rarer houses in the collection can fetch more than $1K on eBay.
Well, as excited as I was to fly on KLM’s new 787-9, I was most excited about receiving my first Delft Blue house.
As expected, a FA came around just prior to landing with a tray of houses. I chose number 81, which is the Goudkantoor or Gold Office in Groningen.
Across the aisle from me was a family of four. They turned down their homes, stating they “have enough already”. Immediately I asked if I could take theirs. The passenger behind me also heard and asked if she could have them moments later.
The FA offered each of us an additional house. I chose number 84, De Oude Munt in Weert.
Very happy with my catch, I carefully packed them in my carry-on bag and prepared for landing. Business class passengers were invited to exit via Door 1. On the way out, I noticed the passenger in 2A had left his behind…
So I grabbed it before the woman behind me could. It was number 24, De Kroon (the crown) in Alkmaar.
Now I’ve got three houses that I will attempt to find a place for in my office…
I was all excited to fly KLM and get a blue house on my last big trip to Europe, but the award space I thought I had found on Flying Blue turned out to be phantom space. I flew Delta instead, but I was really sad about missing out on the house… so I went on eBay and bought a couple for $25. Not the same thing as getting it at the end of the flight, but I really wanted one!
You brought back a fun memory. Growing up, I knew a family that had hundreds of those (big family, constant flights back and forth from the US). As teens, we would drink the booze. It was all we could do to choke it down.
If memory serves, the 3-D gin filled houses were originally for 1st class passengers, business class got 2-D tiles of the front of the houses.
Gosh, flying KLM biz class next month, and now all I can think about are these beautiful little houses!
And check out the duty free catalogue for a little house Christmas ornament!