They say the business-minded Dutch, inventors of the multinational corporation and stock exchange, are Europe’s shrewdest when it comes to money. And they say Queen’s Day, when the streets turn into a free-for-all flea market, is when Dutchies first learn to make money.
That said, to join the Queen’s Day flea market with the goal of making money is to miss the point entirely. The point is to have a good time! The Dutch sense of fun and humor comes out in blazing orange on Queen’s Day, and there are as many silly gimmicks to enjoy as there are bargains to be found.
My favorite gimmick was this wedding package, including a trousseau, ceremony, contract, rings and photo for €5. So silly, so fun, and so very high school fair!
Another funny, but kind of brilliant moneymaking scheme: pay toilets. Lots of residents without anything to sell offer the use of their (presumably clean) toilets for a small fee.
Most people do end up selling something tangible. It’s a chance to nab vintage finds as people, especially older residents, empty their attics out on the sidewalk. Not that I think trolls are a great example of a vintage treasure, but people do trot out a lot of throwback tchotchkes.
Not into old stuff? Score Queen’s Day merchandise—everything from inflatable crowns to wigs to shirts to feather boas, all in the color of the day. We overheard one seller telling a TV reporter that she sold at least 200 items per hour. Wow!
Tired from shopping? Recharge with a cornucopia of homemade food and drink. Granted, there’s much reselling of canned soup, but there is also a lot of good baking and creative naming—like these cupcakes styled after the ex-queen Beatrix and new queen Maxima.
There’s one sector of society that takes the flea market really seriously… children! Like all holidays, Queen’s Day is a huge deal for kids, who take to the streets and put their business hats on.
This makes the Queen’s Day flea market ideal for buying second-hand children’s clothing and toys. The kids themselves get to choose what toys to sell, handle sales, and keep the profits. I think it’s a great idea and I’d love to teach Tala the same when she’s older.
Even more serious than the little business people are the pint-sized performers. Whether they’re putting their violin lessons to good use or banging on pots and pans, you know these little performers been preparing for their big moment for weeks. So adorable, you don’t care what they sound like.
I wasn’t in the market for much this year, but we ended up scoring some yummy cupcakes, brand new organic cotton baby clothes, a hammock seat for our balcony… and this kitschy Queen’s Day themed Polaroid family photo.
The photobomber came free of charge!
Maybe we should join the flea market next year… and use our daughter’s cuteness to our advantage, haha. I wonder what we should sell?
