Frequently asked questions

Who receives a VU Christmas gift?

Employees with an employment contract at the VU (including student assistants), (scholarship) PhD candidates at VU and trainees with an internship allowance receive a Christmas gift. Employees hired by VU on a freelance or agency basis (‘external’ and ‘courtesy’) and employees of ACTA do not receive a gift from the VU. ACTA will provide its own Christmas gift for employees from this year onwards.

I have lost the email with my Christmas gift code. What can I do?

The homepage of https://vu-kerstgeschenk.nl states: ‘Code request?’ Here you can request your code by entering your VU-email address. Your code will then be sent to your VU-email address.

I did not receive an email with a Christmas gift code even though I am entitled to it. What can I do?

Employees who are employed, or joined the VU before Christmas, are entitled to a Christmas gift. If you have not received an email with your Christmas gift code, please email your name and VUnetID to kerstgeschenk@vu.nl with reference to 'Christmas gift not received'. We will then find out what the problem might be. If you are entitled to a Christmas gift, you will receive an email with a code.

If I have already logged in once but haven't ordered anything yet, can I log in again with my code?

You can. Your code will remain active. If you have spent all your points, you can no longer order. You can order until 1 March 2025.

If I have already logged in once but haven't ordered anything yet, can I log in again with my code?

You can. Your code will remain active. If you have spent all your points, you can no longer order. You can order until 1 March 2025.

Can I give my Christmas gift to someone else?

The code you received can only be used in combination with your VU-email address. However, you can have the gift collected by someone else. To do so, enter that person's email address at the end of the ordering process. Confirmation and further instructions will then be sent to the email address entered there.

How does ordering with points work?

Your code has a value of five points. You can use the points to choose gifts, books, tickets for a performance at Rialto or De Griffioen, a gift from the VU Sports Centre, a plant at the Botanical Garden Zuidas or make a donation to one of the selected charities.

Until when can I select a gift?

You can select a gift until 1 March 2025.

Until when can I pick up my gift at the VU Bookstore?

You can pick up your gift at the VU Bookstore until 1 April 2024.

What are the collection dates at the Botanical Garden Zuidas for my plant?

You can pick up your plant from January 8, 2024 at the Botanical Garden Zuidas. The collection deadline is April 1, 2024 For opening hours, visit: https://botanischetuinzuidas.nl/english/

I have chosen a gift from the VU Sports Centre. Now what?

The VU Sports Centre will contact you to schedule a date to make use of your choice.

I have chosen a two cinema ticket from Rialto VU. What next?

From Rialto VU, you will receive an email with digital codes you can use to select a film on the Rialto VU website.

I have not received a message from Sports Centre VU or Rialto VU. What now!

It may take several days before you receive any messages from Rialto VU or Sportcentrum VU. No messages will be sent between 21 December 2023 and 7 January 2024.

I have chosen the VU Griffioen Gift Card? How do I receive the card?

You can pick up the VU Griffin Gift Card at the VU Bookstore using the code you received by email.

Can I exchange my Christmas gift?

No, the Christmas gift cannot be exchanged.

How will I receive the gift I ordered?

If you choose a gift or a book, you can pick up your gift at the VU Bookstore. Also the tickets for Griffioen you can pick up at the VU Bookstore. You will receive an email when your gift is ready. If you have opted for Rialto VU, the VU Sports Centre or the Botanical Garden Zuidas, you will receive an email with instructions. If you choose a charity, you will receive confirmation of your donation.

When can I pick up my gift?

You will receive an email when you can pick up your gift at the VU Bookstore. If you have chosen a gift from De Griffioen, Rialto VU, the VU Sports Centre or the Botanical Garden Zuidas, you will receive a message with instructions on how and when you can receive or make use of your gift. The VU Bookstore is closed from Sunday December 22nd until Sunday January 5th.

I have chosen my gift, but after a few days I have not yet received notification of when I can pick it up?

The email may have inadvertently ended up in your spam folder, so remember to check your spam folder first. Due to busy times or because a product is temporarily out of stock, it may take a little longer sometimes before you receive a notification that your gift is ready for pick-up. If a product is unavailable for a longer period, you will be informed. If you don’t hear anything for a longer period, send an email to: kerstgeschenk@vu.nl. The VU Bookstore is closed from Sunday December 22nd until Sunday January 5th.

Can I have someone else collect my gift?

You will receive an email when your gift is ready for pick-up at the VU Bookstore. This email contains a code. You can send this email with code to someone else who now can pick up your gift. If you have chosen a gift from the Griffioen, Rialto VU, VU Sports Centre or Botanical Garden Zuidas, you will receive a message with instructions on how and when you can receive or use your gift. You can also forward these instructions to someone else.

How can I donate my Christmas gift to charity?

You can indicate on the Christmas gift website to which of the selected charities you want to donate. You can donate one to five points.

Do I have a guarantee on my Christmas gift?

Products of a technical nature have the warranty that comes with the product from the manufacturer. The VU Bookstore takes over this warranty period. Complaints about other products will be resolved by mutual agreement, please contact us at: kerstgeschenk@vu.nl

Where do I find the VU Bookstore?

The VU Bookstore is in the Main Building on the ground floor, to the left of the main entrance.

My question is not listed here. What can I do?

If you have a question about the Christmas gift that is not listed here, please send an email to kerstgeschenk@vu.nl.

The VU Christmas Gift is a token of appreciation from the Executive Board to all VU employees, for their efforts in the past year. From Tuesday 10 December 2024, you will receive a personal code by email, which you can use to choose a gift online.

Do you have any questions? Then take a look at the frequently asked questions below first. Is your question not among them? Then contact us at kerstgeschenk@vu.nl.

TERUG