What you need for a care home flea market

A care home flea market needs more than tables for donated goods. You will need clear price tags, numbered stalls, route signs, clothing racks and a separate cash desk so buyers can move around without confusion. For refreshments, plan coffee, tea, cold drinks and serving items for the expected attendance. Check power, lighting and room rules before shopping, especially if you will use several coffee machines, kettles or extension cords.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 30
Clothes racksqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 2
Cash desk table
Waste binsqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 50
Tea glassesqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 50
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50

Kitchen

Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 4
Scissorsqty 6
Tape dispensersqty 4
Pliersqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Price tagsqty 500
Directional signsqty 12
Information boardsqty 4
Sticky tackqty 4

Catering

Cash register
Cash boxqty 2
Tip and change cupsqty 3
Serving plattersqty 8
Bread basketsqty 3
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Currant buns - 30 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell pepper - 1 kilo
- Herb cheese - 6 tubs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Tips

Set up one cash desk table near the exit and bring a float with small notes and coins before the doors open. Keep the cash desk separate from the sales tables so volunteers can track payments.
Provide one table or rack for each participating stallholder, then add at least one spare foldable table for sorting, price-tag supplies or late arrivals. Number every sales table before stallholders unpack.
For drinks, count two cups per visitor as a starting point, then add plates, cutlery and serving trays if you are offering cakes or other food. Bring extra coffee cups and tea glasses because used items quickly run out during a busy first hour.
Use clothing racks for coats and dresses instead of placing everything on tables. Pack scissors, tape dispensers, sticky tack and pliers in a small setup box so volunteers can fix signs, tags and displays without searching for tools.
Check the hall’s sockets before buying or bringing electrical equipment. Use power strips and extension cords only where they can be kept out of walkways, and keep battery lanterns available if the room lighting is uneven.

Frequently asked questions

How many tables do I need for a care home flea market?: Plan one sales table per stallholder, plus one spare table for sorting goods and one separate cash desk table. For 12 stallholders, that means at least 14 tables before adding any refreshment table.
How many cups and glasses should I buy for a flea market?: Allow two drinking vessels per expected visitor if you are serving coffee, tea and cold drinks. For 50 visitors, start with about 100 cups or glasses, then add a small reserve for breakage and discarded cups.
What do I need for pricing flea market items?: Prepare price tags for every table and bring extra tags for items added on the day. Pack scissors, tape dispensers, sticky tack and pens together, and finish the first tagging round at least one day before the market.
How early should I set up a care home flea market?: Allow at least 2 hours for tables, chairs, clothing racks, signs, lighting and refreshments. If the room needs party tents or several electrical appliances, add another 30 to 60 minutes and test the equipment before stallholders arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.