What you need for a Christmas tree market

A Christmas tree market needs more than trees and market stalls. You’ll need weather protection, safe lighting, clear price and direction signs, payment equipment, hot drinks and a way to move trees without damaging them. Use the shopping list below alongside your vendor and volunteer plan. Buy or hire the items early, especially tents, coffee machines, payment terminals and transport carts, because these are often arranged too late.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 10
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Christmas tree standsqty 30
Clothes racksqty 4
Transport cartsqty 3

Decorations

Christmas baublesqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas figuresqty 8
Tableclothsqty 14
Price cardsqty 40
Directional signsqty 8
Entrance sign

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 10
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Cable traysqty 20

Equipment

Payment terminalsqty 2
Cash registersqty 2
Cash boxesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Warming kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Soup potsqty 3
Ladlesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Storage binsqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 80
Mulled Wine Cupsqty 100
Drinking glassesqty 100
Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Mulled wine - 18 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Oranges - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Tapenade - 3 jars
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Salami - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 3 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Christmas cookies - 8 boxes
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Mini oliebol pastries - 250 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 kilogram
- Apple fritters - 100 pieces
- Tomato soup - 12 liters
- Split pea soup - 12 liters
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Soup vegetables - 5 kilogram
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Allow one market stall or sales spot per vendor, then add at least one extra table for shared supplies, price cards and paperwork. Confirm the layout before buying tablecloths or directional signs.
Plan lighting for every stall and route, not just the entrance. Use extension cords, power strips and cable trays only after checking the available power supply, and keep cables away from walking paths.
For hot drinks, provide one kettle or coffee machine for roughly every 30 to 40 guests at peak time. Add warming kettles and coolers only after estimating how much coffee, tea, milk and chilled drinks vendors will need.
Prepare one payment setup for each busy sales point: a payment terminal or cash register, plus a cash box where cash is accepted. Test every terminal and bring charging cables at least one day before the market.
Order tree stands, transport carts and protective materials as soon as the tree delivery is confirmed. Collecting and sorting trees takes longer when stands are missing or carts are shared between several sales spots.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Christmas tree market?: Plan for market stalls, tables, chairs, tree stands, transport carts, tents, lighting, signs, payment equipment and decorations. Add coffee machines, kettles, warming kettles, coolers and serving supplies based on your guest count and opening hours.
How many Christmas tree stands do I need?: Start with one stand for every displayed or sold tree that must remain upright, then add a 10% spare allowance. For 100 trees, that means preparing about 110 stands if trees will be displayed individually.
How much lighting is needed for an outdoor Christmas market?: Light every stall, the entrance and the full walking route. Check the power supply at least 7 days beforehand and prepare enough extension cords, power strips and cable trays to reach each area without cables crossing walkways.
When should I order equipment for a Christmas tree market?: Reserve tents, stalls, coffee machines, payment terminals and transport carts at least 2 to 4 weeks before the market. Confirm deliveries and test electrical and payment equipment no later than the day before opening.

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.