Christmas Market Shopping List

Use this list to shop for a Christmas market with market stalls, festive decorations and a horse-drawn tram. The quantities depend on visitor numbers, but some items are easy to underestimate: hot-drink cups, power leads, serving equipment and weather protection. Buy or gather reusable tableware before the final week, and check every electrical item before setup day. Keep storage boxes available so decorations, spare supplies and stall materials stay dry and organised.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Market stallsqty 12
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Storage boxesqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Mulled Wine Cupsqty 150
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 10

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 80
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Nativity scene
Table décorqty 12
Name badgesqty 20
Notice boardsqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 16
LED lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Warming kettlesqty 3
Mulled wine warmerqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 8
Card machinesqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6
Thermometersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12
Kitchen towelsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 24
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4

Horse-drawn carriage

Haybagsqty 2
Buckets of waterqty 2
Horse blanketsqty 2
Step stool
Waste bagsqty 30
Route conesqty 20
Waiting benchesqty 4

Safety

Crowd barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
Reflective vestsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 3
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 250 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange soda - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Children's champagne - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Cinnamon sticks - 4 bags
- Star anise - 3 bags
- Cloves - 3 jars
- Oranges - 5 kilos
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Mini currant buns - 120 pieces
- Mini raisin breads - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Sliced cheese - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Cheese sticks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Gingerbread - 8 packs
- Christmas cookies - 12 packs
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Skewers - 500 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 300 pieces
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan at least two hot-drink cups per expected visitor if the market runs for several hours. Mulled wine cups and coffee cups are easy to run out of when visitors return for a second drink.
Allow one plate, bowl and cutlery set per planned meal or snack serving, then add roughly 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Serving platters, spoons and tongs should be available at every food stall.
Count electrical points before buying extra lighting. LED string lights, lanterns, extension cords and power strips must match the venue supply, while cable mats help prevent leads becoming a trip hazard.
Prepare one weather-ready setup for every stall: party tents, tablecloths and storage boxes protect goods and decorations if rain or wind arrives. Check the forecast again 48 hours before the market.
Test all Christmas lights and coffee machines at least 24 hours before opening. Keep spare reusable cups, napkins and serving tools in labelled storage boxes so volunteers can restock without leaving their assigned stall.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Christmas market with a horse carriage?: You need market stalls, tables, chairs or bar stools, tablecloths, reusable cups, coffee cups, mulled wine cups, plates, bowls and cutlery. Add food-serving tools, Christmas decorations, LED lighting, extension cords, cable mats and coffee machines based on the number of stalls and visitors.
How many cups should I buy for a Christmas market?: Plan for at least two hot-drink cups per expected visitor for a market lasting several hours. Add about 10% extra if washing or collecting reusable cups during the event will be difficult.
When should I buy Christmas market supplies?: Buy or gather reusable tableware, lighting and stall equipment at least one week before the market. Test lights and coffee machines no later than 24 hours before opening, and check weather protection again 48 hours beforehand.
What lighting and power supplies are needed for Christmas market stalls?: Use LED string lights or LED lanterns, extension cords, power strips and cable mats. Check the available power at least one week before the event and test the complete setup 24 hours before visitors arrive.

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