Can I just plant the bulbs into pots at the end of summer, put them in the fridge, water them sometimes, take them out in December and voila? Or it isn't this simple?

It's darn close :-) Tulips need a chill period of 6-8 week (or more), so you want to plan ahead for at least that much time in the refrigerator. After that chill period, the potted bulbs are brought out into the warmth of the house, given bright light and should produce foliage followed by blooms. I'd allow another 3-4 weeks minimum for this to happen. If it is easier, the bulbs can be chilled before planting or potting up, although there may be a delay in root formation that could extend the forcing period.

Remember that fruits and certain vegetables in the refrigerator can emit ethylene gas that will prevent or abort the flowering of bulbs. Make sure that potted or stored bulbs are kept away from any other produce.

Those "greenbag" produce bags help to block ethylene gas -- seal your pots of bulbs into those and it will help ensure no problems from the produce. They sell them at most grocery stores now. Kroger stores here are now actually using this type of bag in their produce department, so they are sort of semi-free for the taking -- I often double bag my proudce to get a few extra to store produce in.

Thanks, I'm definitely trying it this year ;)!

Hmmm, the book I'm reading about tulips says that ethylene has little effect on tulips (or their bulbs) when temperatures are below 13*C, and big impact when it's 17-23*C