What you need for a children's Christmas market

A children's Christmas market needs more than stalls and festive decorations. You will need serving supplies, hot-drink equipment, safe lighting, payment equipment and practical items for activities and prizes. Plan quantities around the number of stalls, visitors and serving points, rather than buying one shared set for the whole market. Check power access and cold storage before shopping, especially if the market runs in tents or another temporary venue.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Market stallsqty 8
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 50
Beer benchesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2
Bollardsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Bowlsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 3
Christmas baublesqty 100
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 12
Route signsqty 10

Equipment

Cash register setsqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 2
Hot water boilersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 12
LED work lightsqty 4
Cable matsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Broomsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Cocoa powder - 3 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Whole milk - 12 liters
- Plant-based milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Mini marshmallows - 3 bags
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Chocolate curls - 2 bags
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Pea soup - 10 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini sausages - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian sausages - 3 kilo
- Slices of cheese - 3 kilos
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 5 bags
- Christmas cookies - 12 packs
- Spiced biscuits - 10 packs
- Waffles - 150 pieces
- Icing sugar - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Poffertjes - 8 kilos
- Syrup - 4 bottles
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Tissue boxes - 6 boxes

Tips

Allow one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per expected serving at a time, then add a spare margin of around 15% for busy periods, dropped items and delayed washing.
For a market in tents or after dark, provide one LED work light at each entrance, payment point and activity area, plus enough extension cords and power strips to keep cables away from walkways.
Buy or borrow at least one hot water boiler and several thermos flasks for each separate drinks point. Prepare the first hot drinks before opening so queues do not form while equipment heats up.
Keep refrigerated food and drinks in coolers until serving, and arrange storage before shopping day. Do not leave perishable supplies on stall tables while the market is being set up.
Prepare a separate cash register set and payment terminal for every active sales point, with a cash float ready before doors open. Route signs, bollards and a simple floor plan help keep children away from cables and service areas.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a children's Christmas market?: Plan for market stalls, tables, chairs, reusable cups, plates, cutlery, serving bowls and platters. You will also need Christmas decorations, hot water boilers, coolers, payment equipment, safe lighting and supplies for children's activities.
How many cups and plates do I need for a Christmas market?: Start with one cup, plate and cutlery set per expected serving at the busiest time, then add about 15% spare stock. For 100 simultaneous servings, prepare roughly 115 of each item unless you have a reliable washing setup.
How much lighting is needed for a Christmas market in tents?: Use at least one LED work light at every entrance, payment point and activity area. Add LED string lights for decoration, and check the total cable length and number of power sockets at least one week before the event.
When should I buy supplies for a children's Christmas market?: Order rental equipment, stalls, trees and lighting at least 2–4 weeks ahead. Buy non-perishable supplies during the final week, while refrigerated items should be collected or delivered on the day before or the morning of the market.

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