Christmas Market by the Water shopping list

A market beside the water needs more than festive stock and attractive stalls. You also need serving equipment, chilled drinks, hot-food supplies, payment gear and practical items for weather and safe access. Use this shopping list to check what must be bought, collected or hired before setup day. Plan quantities around your expected visitor count, then add a small buffer for busy periods, breakages and dietary requirements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 14
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 8
Stoolsqty 16
Checkout tablesqty 2
Storage binsqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Glassesqty 150
Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 80
Knivesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Soup kettlesqty 3
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Card machinesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Handheld microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Cable matsqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 12
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foil dispensersqty 2

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Buntingqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 18
Menu boardsqty 16
Chalkboardsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 40
Batteriesqty 48

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4
Towel roll holdersqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Rolls of barrier tapeqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Life ringsqty 2

Other

Cable tiesqty 200
Duct tapeqty 8
Table clampsqty 40
Tool casesqty 3
Cash boxesqty 3
Price sign holdersqty 30
Clothes hangersqty 40

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 3 kilograms
- Black tea - 5 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate powder - 4 kilograms
- Chai latte powder - 2 kilogram
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 4 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Mini marshmallows - 2 kilograms
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- 7Up - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free mulled wine - 12 bottles
- Mulled wine - 20 bottles
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Christmas loaf - 8 pieces
- Mini Stolletjes - 12 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Mini roll buns - 15 bags
- Wraps - 8 packs
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Onions - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Leek - 3 kilograms
- Pumpkin - 6 kilogram
- Vegetable stock - 4 boxes
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Lentils - 4 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Vegetarian meatballs - 5 kilogram
- Ground beef - 5 kilogram
- Mini sausages - 5 kilograms
- Puff pastry - 12 packs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Flour - 3 kilograms
- Breadcrumbs - 2 kilogram
- Olive oil - 4 liters
- Sunflower oil - 4 liters
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Cranberry sauce - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Party Nuts - 8 kilograms
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Spekkoek - 8 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 15 boxes
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Christmas candy - 6 kilogram
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper cups - 1000 pieces
- Stir sticks - 1000 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 18 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Cleaning product - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 12 refills
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Disinfectant wipes - 12 packs
- Disposable gloves - 10 boxes
- Dish towels - 24 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the first batch before opening and keep a separate reserve in coolers.
For hot food and drinks, allow one cup or bowl per serving plus at least 10% extra. Count plates, cutlery, coffee cups and glasses separately rather than assuming one item covers every stall.
Buy disposable service items and dietary-specific ingredients at least two days before the market. Collect fresh produce on the day before opening so it stays in good condition.
Check every powered item against the available supply before shopping: coffee machines, kettles, soup kettles, food warmers, card machines and speakers may need separate extension cords and power strips.
Pack a dedicated setup box with serving spoons, trays, cutting boards, a chef’s knife, cable mats and spare payment supplies. These small items are often needed before the first stall is fully unpacked.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Christmas market?: Start with two to three drinks per visitor during the first hour, followed by one per visitor for each extra hour. For food, estimate one serving per expected customer and add 10% for seconds, spills and damaged portions.
How many cups, plates and cutlery items should I buy?: Allow one complete serving set per planned serving, plus 10% extra. If coffee, soup and snacks are served separately, count cups, bowls, plates, knives, forks and spoons for each station rather than using one shared estimate.
When should I buy fresh food for a Christmas market?: Buy packaged goods and service supplies at least two days ahead. Collect fresh produce the day before the market, then check stock and prepare chilled or perishable items as close to opening as practical.
What equipment do I need for a market beside the water?: Plan for stalls, tents, tables, seating, storage bins and checkout tables, plus coolers, hot-food equipment, card machines and power cables. Confirm the power supply and weather forecast no later than the day before setup, and keep cable mats ready for every route crossing.

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