Home for the Holidays: How Coliving in Brussels means Belonging over the Holidays 

The holiday season arrives early at Morton Place. By late November, the first signs of celebration begin: each house receives its Christmas tree, and we invite residents to host their own tree-decorating evening. We provide the lights, the cava, and the background playlist; you bring the company. There’s usually a YouTube fireplace flickering on a living room TV and the last bottle of cava is always opened sooner than expected.

Many of our residents tell us it’s the first time since living with family that they’ve come home to a Christmas tree. For us, those messages — “We have a tree!” — are the true start of the holidays.

A Brussels December: Lights, Markets, and Winter Magic

Brussels transforms in December. The Grand Place glows with its light-and-sound show, a new theme each year that never fails to surprise and please. Afterwards, our insider favorite is to go to the Cirio for a half-en-half, and  wander through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for a little christmas shopping.

The Christmas market—Plaisirs d’Hiver—is a must-see, stretching from the Bourse to Sainte-Catherine. It’s a mix of charming lights, Belgian treats, and yes, a little holiday “tat,” but finding the better vendors is a bit of a sport. Some evenings, housemates plan group outings, meeting at the Ferris wheel for vin chaud before drifting off to enjoy different corners of the city.

When Home Is Shared

At Morton Place, the season is as much about community as celebration. Each house hosts its own raclette evening, where residents often prepare something from home to share whether it’s a wine, some home made cookies it’s easy to share traditions. 

For residents staying in Brussels over the holidays, we connect those who want to celebrate together. Every year, small traditions emerge naturally — some houses have resident bakers, others have paella Sundays, the moods and habits changes with the residents. 

Settling In During Winter

January brings new beginnings — and new faces. Many arrivals coincide with the start of EU traineeships or work postings, so while the city outside still feels dark and wintry, inside our houses, the energy turns focused and fresh.

We pair newcomers with a buddy — a current resident who helps with the first week’s practicalities: where to shop, how the laundry system works, which cafés are best for remote work. It’s our way of keeping the sense of welcome alive year-round.

By this time, the houses have settled into their rhythm. The long-term residents return to their routines of work, sport, and study, while new arrivals slowly weave themselves into the social life of the house. That quiet, steady return to normalcy is part of what makes January at Morton Place feel like a true home — calm, supportive, and full of small human warmth.

A Place to Belong

At Morton Place, the holidays feel like community: warm lights in every window, dinners that stretch late into the evening, and a shared understanding that even far from home, you’re not alone.

✨ Join Our Community

Whether you’re arriving for a new posting or looking for a fresh start in Brussels, we’d love to welcome you to our houses.
Browse availability for January and February at Morton Place Availability.