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Story by
LeChatCrochet
Published on April 28, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by smiling_da_vinci, Queen's Day in Leiden
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Queen's Day is coming up on April 30th, and we want to show our Dutch friends all the orange that Etsy has to offer! LeChatCrochet tells us about this national holiday.
It’s party time in Holland! On April 30 my country celebrates the birthday of our Queen, Beatrix, though it’s not her actual birthday, but her mother’s (Juliana). 
On her own birthday, January 31, it’s simply not the season for the traditional outdoor festivities, so when she ascended the throne in 1980, she decided not to change the date that the country had celebrated since 1948.
On the left, Queen Beatrix, by karolien taverniers from flickr. On the right, "Chaos" in the streets, by Photochiel on flickr.
See, the tradition goes back to Juliana’s mother Wilhelmina, who decreed that her birthday should be celebrated with games and other outdoor activities for children. Then over the years it changed to a holiday for all with games, concerts, fairs, etc, in every town and village all over the country. One new thing that Beatrix installed is that she and members of her family visit one or two towns each year and even take part in a game if they can. 
Woman selling her secondhand items, by Miek37 from flickr.
Yet the biggest attraction for most people is the "free-market." It's called "free" because street vending restrictions are lifted for one day and all citizens are allowed to sell anything they want outdoors, as long as it’s not perishable food or alcohol. Traditionally the selling concentrates in the centers of the big cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Rotterdam.
Of course there are also professional traders, but the character of the market is still determined by ordinary people like you and me who sell secondhand wares on the curb. Some sell simply in front of their homes, some come from out of town, and some have even specially collected and set aside goods for the occasion. The markets attract enormous crowds and are like a sort of giant yard sale. Yard sales American style are unknown in Holland; we do it once a year and bring our stuff to the street. Thrift shoppers have a field day, but even people who usually would never visit a Goodwill store enjoy browsing through the goods.
Child busking, by quantz on flickr.
But a lot of people find more creative ways to make some money. Children often make their first "busking" appearance. Personally, I first sold some of my handmade items on the market as a try out, and it was my first face-to-face experience with buyers! Home baked cakes and pies (many using special Queen’s Day recipes) can be found in every street. Some organize and invent their own little fair with games for the public to play, and that usually means getting creative with triplex and cardboard to make the set-up. The most original set up attracts the most players.
Dutch flag, by Jackie Kever from flickr.
But of course a day like this also calls for decorations and party dress. Apart from the flags and decorations in the old-fashioned national colours of red, white and blue, the country turns orange. In fact, since about the mid-seventies orange is our official national colour when it comes to celebrating and sporting events. This came about after a spontaneous action from the public — probably — to distinguish ourselves from the many other counties that have blue, white, and red as their national colours. Now the teams even play in orange outfits. The colour comes from the orange knob and pennant on our flag pole. And that of course comes from the name of our royal family: The House of Orange.
Revelers, by Birgitta Seegers on flickr.
Apart from the orange garlands and balloons you will see everywhere, most people will dress up in at least something orange. It varies from complete orange outfits with painted faces, crazy hats and wigs to just a scarf or a ribbon. And for the real creativista of course this day too is a perfect occasion to choose something handmade in orange!
Shop Local The Netherlands | Orange Vintage Items
Orange Handmade Clothing & Accessories | More Etsy International Posts
100 comments Login to add your own!
gloilocksandbody
Hah, that dutch tub is awesome! Its an Etsy looking orange too :D
Happy holiday Holland!
Earmark
oh i love it! i of course, love orange and the Netherlands, so this list is top notch to me!
novadesigns
JessicaPoundstone
I will be forwarding immediately to my friends in The Netherlands! Looks like so much fun!
pulpsushi
CutieDynamite
PDXfabricdeli
Super cool and fun. It seems they know how to party in Holland!
adoreneko
Faeriedtreasures
I love orange! Its one of those colours that cant help but be happy. A perfect celebration colour!
martice
BabbidgePatch
SilverSynergy
DalkullanJewelry
VintageEyeFashion
Huismus
Ha! What a fun article..our own Bea on Etsy, yay! :-)
Can't wait till it's thursday!!
minasaez
I used to live in Holland and sell my items on the street! I had so much fun doing it! Is one of the funniest day in the world!
Love to all my Dutch friends!
HarrietsHaven
MayaBella
tizzalicious
This is so fun to read :) I'm a Dutchie and I love Koninginnedag! :D I sold things on the streets for YEARS when I was little. In fact, I even some some handmade earrings back when I was 7 or so. Fun times :)
Vanessa
I hope to be in Holland for this day some time. I loooove flea markets!
catsongstitchery
That sounds like so much fun! I love orange and I actually have two orange bags in my shop right now!
youheartus
asapdesigns
My favorite color too. My Dutch friends keep trying to get me over for the holiday, this is just another reminder that I need to save more money for that early summer trip!
deepindigo
Avlor
Yay! Orange is my favorite color! With the last name of Vander Vorste I'll celebrate too. :)
EJPcreations
ModFarmgirl
BetaBoutique
What an orange selection, thanks for including my dress too !
odiliafu
BetterThanCheesecake
WHSKR
Ah happy days. I lived in Holland as a youngster and loved celebrating Koninginnedag!
Thank you for brining back some lovely memories. I love Holland - in face I just bought from a Dutch seller.
Vrolijke Koninginnedag
worksofwhimsy
That sounds like so much fun! Hope I can make it for the festivities some day.
LisaFerinDesigns
Fun article! I'm married to a Dutchman, but haven't been back to NL for too long! Thanks fro posting this.
missindie
DutchTouchBeads
musicalkitten
maclancy
I want to stroll those streets and see all goods and all the orange... orangecha glad Etsy is orange?
LeChatCrochet
And my thanks to Ety's Vanessa for the editing of my article, i.e. finding more photographs on flickr, contacting the owners, finding all those wonderful orange items and some even from Dutch sellers, and including my own of course! Thanks again for asking me and helping me out to get it done! Happy 'Koninginnedag' to all Dutchies!
BeppeMartha
OrangeTwist
What a great event! I remember being in France and their once a year "garage" sales up and down the streets. It was fantastic!
StrungAlong
lizziboo
pumpkinhaus
Orange is my color!!! ( I so badly want that dutch tub now...)
BowWowBeds
clubviv
what a lovely picks
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TheCottageCheese
This looks like so much fun! perhaps one day I'll be able to visit during Queen's Day. Love all of the orange!
poppyswickedgarden
fromlucywithlove
kittytrishia
kasiablue
worksandfinds
squidthink
Love all the Orange and all the Dutch goodness!! :)
This is a great write-up! And lots of great orange goodies to peruse.
edieart
As a Dutch person living abroad I always miss my country a little more on the 30th of April!! :) Great day!
HansenSoapCo
My daughter would love it! She is an Orange Color Freak! :)
go2girl
Oh, yes- I absolutely Love orange...just about every room in my home has some lovely orange accents (and it goes so well with my favorite color,green).
SayItAintSo
englishmuffinshop
RedBerryCrochet
gwengoods
patk860
Liyana
CoraDesigns
Hey I love the FUNKY orange Fabric on the messenger bag Ella0six great theme...Cora
RoyalPrincess
mythunderstood
popsiclestick
EpicBones
BigelowDesigns
My family live in holland and they say it is great fun! thank you etsy for sharing this day with everyone. love the tub,
xoelle
HibouCards
love the color! Also I'm glad to see this beautiful necklace for pipapiep... everything she does is great!
arethusa
LaCamelot
For the Queen of Holland and everyone in Holland, congratulations on your day! So happy my "Candy for the Queen" lace cuff is part of this Etsy celebration in honor of the Queen's Day xo
jenglo
Fabulous! Terrific article, and fabulous finds! My favorite is actually the Queen's hat, even though it is pink and not orange. And not for sale. :)
eclettica
Holland is AMAZING. I've been there twice and it's like walking into an entirely new universe. There's such an amazingly positive vibe in the way people dress - utterly unexpected styles with innate confidence in carrying them off! Just divine :)
vantiani
Oh two of my office mates are in Amsterdam now. Hopefully they will bring some stuff and pretty pictures next week! Yay!
LeChatCrochet
I'm sorry to report that just before noon local time here a bizarre car crash near the bus of the royal family happened. At this moment all festivities are being slowed down and will be cancelled altogether during the afternoon...
jeannesu
ThePeachTree
decoratethediva
Glitzer
JKphotography
For the first time in history, this beautiful day in our country was canceled because a person as it seems now deliberately drove through a crowd of people and killed and injured many. We are all in shock and wish all victims and their families all strength.
Jashme
stiksel
A black cloud is hanging over the Queens day festivities of today.. it's very sad what happened..
Ciaffi
Huismus
Upset because of what happened..this day was supposed to be a happy celebration :-(
misfitsemporium
Congratulations on the excellent treasury.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to everyone who was there (and their families and friends) when the car rushed in, I just can't believe that happened, so sorry for all involved.
missfaeriedust
opendoorstudio
bright pretty ...fantastic. I love the orange and what a fun article
branda
LMxLM
Unfortunately it wasn't fun at all! :(
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/eur...
(and it is not correct; four people have been killed!)
elleabelle
My parents are both dutch...immigrated to the States 47 years ago...but we still celebrate this every year!! Dank u wel for the story!!
oldworldprimitives
I was lucky enough to be in Amsterdam for Queen's Day 3 years ago and it was so much fun! I bought my still-favorite coat from an outdoor vendor there.
LeChatCrochet
I just came back from the freemarket in my area. Nothing seemed different. But of course you can't stop people privately celabrating. But official events have been called off or minimized. Just hope it won't affect the future character of this day (as one - a little bit tendentious journalist predicted). I really feel sorry for Bea. It was supposed to be the big celebration in the memory of her mother's 100th birthday.
acornalley
I spent last Queen's day in Delft and it was a blast. I was there on a bike tour and we stopped for the day and enjoyed the festivities. Wearing orange, of course!
BargainBoutique
I worked in Holland as a student for 4 months and loved it!! Beautiful country and beautiful people!!
Enjoy the celebrations.
LaCamelot
My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers go out to the families and friends of everyone involved in this terrible tragedy! So sad this happened.
crochetgal
I'm so sorry that the actions of a single person have spoiled the fun and celebration for so many.
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Dutch people..
eclipse
I've been to Holland twice but never for Queen's Day, I've always wanted to go! I love the creativity and free spirit of these celebrations.
My sympathies to anyone touched by the tragic attack this year.
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