Fiene and Isa on a Christmas tree hunt: “50 cents per tree, that’s a lot of money”

It is and remains a great activity during the Christmas holidays: children collecting Christmas trees. Burning takes place less and less often, and the trees are increasingly shredded. The chips are processed in hiking trails and compost. In the municipality of Medemblik, this year only in Midwoud and Twisk there is still a burning. With the handing in, the children can also earn some pocket money. Each tree yields 50 euros in most places.

Christmas tree hunt

Een and a is two, thought Fiene (10) and Isa (7) from Onderdijk. So they went on a Christmas tree hunt. Since Monday they have been busy dragging all the Christmas trees they can get their hands on to their parents’ backyard.

“It started out of boredom, because it’s winter now,” says Petra, Fiene’s mother. “But once they got the hang of it, it collected like a train.”

The counter is now at 94. Does she mind that her backyard is full of Christmas trees? “No, it smells great here,” she says laughing. “Our car can no longer get into the driveway and we encounter a lot of needles because of the dragging.” With a wink: “You have to do something for it.”

For the somewhat heavier Christmas trees, the boy next door is called in, because he has a go-kart. “It’s really a sport because there are more hijackers on the coast.”

Their great-grandmother acts as a second storage depot, in case a tree is too far from home. “She also keeps an eye on things. Then she says: ‘If I see something lying around, I will bring it for you’. The whole family helps each other, nice to see. They then get a cookie or candy. It is also cozy and they are nice outside.”

Next year again?

Because there are so many, the shredder of the municipality is coming their way. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it again next year. They’re impressed. 50 cents per Christmas tree, that’s a lot of money at that age.”

The amount raised will be divided in half. Fiene’s sister also gets a share. What will they buy with the money they earn? “Good question. It’s Fiene’s birthday next week. Let’s wait and see: maybe something is missing and otherwise it will go into the piggy bank.”