Christmas market shopping list

A Christmas market needs more than stalls and decorations. You also need enough hot drinks, cooling space, power equipment, signs and practical supplies for several hours of browsing and selling. This checklist helps you shop for the parts that are easy to underestimate, especially drinks, lighting and equipment shared by exhibitors. Use your expected visitor count and opening hours to adjust quantities before buying or collecting anything.

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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 16
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Blanketsqty 16

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lampsqty 20
Battery lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 100
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Poinsettiasqty 10
Table décorqty 16
Route signsqty 12
Information boardsqty 6
Santa suitsqty 2
Santa hatsqty 30
Christmas table runnersqty 16
Nativity scenesqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Warming kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Cash register tabletsqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Charging stationsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Hand trucksqty 2
Tool casesqty 3
Hammerqty 3
Pliersqty 6
Cable tiesqty 200
Duct tapeqty 8
Hand trucksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 200
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 3 packs
- Sugar - 4 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 15 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Hot chocolate - 20 liters
- Apple fritters - 180 pieces
- Oliebollen - 240 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 3 kilos
- Mini sausage rolls - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian puff pastry snacks - 120 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 12 packs
- Spiced biscuits - 10 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand gel - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 200 pieces
- Carry bags - 300 pieces
- Receipt rolls - 6 rolls
- Dish stickers - 4 sheets
- Christmas sweets - 6 kilos
- Lollipops - 200 pieces
- Gingerbread cookies - 100 pieces
- Chocolate - 8 boxes
- Nut mix - 5 kilos
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Spice mix - 6 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
Disposable napkin holdersqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 4
Thermo boxesqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Serving Cupsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 24

Cleaning

Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Waste binsqty 16
Waste binsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4

Tips

Plan around two to three hot or cold drinks per visitor for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep extra water, milk and sugar available separately so drink service does not stop when one item runs out.
Allow at least one working power outlet or power strip for each active stall area, and add extension cords and cable mats where visitors may cross cables. Test coffee machines, kettles, warming kettles and card machines together before market day.
Bring one clear route sign for every main entrance, junction and exit, plus an information board near the busiest access point. Put up signs before exhibitors arrive so queues and unloading traffic do not block the market.
For an outdoor market, prepare lighting for every stall row rather than relying on nearby buildings. Combine string lights or LED lamps with battery lanterns, and keep spare batteries or charging access ready for the final hours.
Keep one separate reserve of shelf-stable drinks, napkins, cups and serving supplies instead of mixing it with the working stock. Check the weather forecast at least 24 hours beforehand and add covers, warmers or extra seating if conditions change.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a Christmas market?: Budget for two to three drinks per visitor during the first hour, followed by about one drink per visitor for every additional hour. Add a 10–15% reserve for unexpected demand and spills.
How much lighting is needed for a Christmas market?: Provide lighting for every stall row, entrance and information point, with at least one lamp or illuminated section per stall area. Test the full setup 1–2 hours before opening and keep battery lanterns as backup.
What power supplies do I need for a Christmas market?: Plan one suitable outlet or power connection per active equipment group, then add extension cords, power strips and cable mats for safe routing. Check the total load before the event and test all equipment on the same day.
When should I buy supplies for a Christmas market?: Buy non-perishable stock, decorations and serving supplies 1–2 weeks beforehand. Purchase fresh food and chilled drinks 1–2 days before opening, then check the complete shopping list again on the morning of the market.

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