Christmas Market Shopping List

A Christmas market needs more than decorations and gift stalls. Plan what each food and drink point will use, how customers will pay, and what keeps equipment safe outdoors. This shopping list covers serving items, hot drink equipment, cooling, tables, power distribution and stall supplies. Buy disposable or reusable serviceware in line with your expected attendance, then add at least 10% extra for breakages, spills and unexpected demand.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 6
Tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 12
Clothes racksqty 6
Plastic cratesqty 20
Checkout tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 350
Mulled Wine Cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 150
Platesqty 250
Bowlsqty 100
Knivesqty 250
Forksqty 250
Spoonsqty 250
Serving spoonsqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Mulled wine warmersqty 3
Soup kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Cash boxesqty 3
Card machinesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's thumbsqty 8
Kitchen knivesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Pliersqty 10
Food warmersqty 8
Aluminum traysqty 20

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 30
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Christmas table runnersqty 20
Christmas figuresqty 12
Santa costume
Photo backdrop
Menu boardsqty 8
Price tagsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 18
Outdoor lightsqty 10
LED candlesqty 40
Light-up Christmas starsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Trash binsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Towel dispensersqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 300 pieces
- Hot chocolate - 20 liters
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 20 cans
- Sugar - 4 kilos
- Sweeteners - 4 boxes
- Cinnamon sticks - 100 gram
- Star anise - 100 gram
- Oranges - 5 kilos
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Cloves - 100 grams
- Ginger - 1 kilo
- Sandwich rolls - 250 pieces
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Salami - 2 kilo
- Smoked chicken - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Cucumber - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Pea soup - 25 liters
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Soup sticks - 10 packs
- Mini sausages - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Christmas cookies - 12 kilos
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 150 pieces
- Apple fritters - 200 pieces
- Icing sugar - 2 kilos
- Pancakes - 200 pieces
- Pancake syrup - 6 bottles
- Pancake sugar - 2 kilo
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Nutmeg - 100 grams
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 1,000 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Wooden forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 300 pieces
- Cardboard soup cups - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Blue trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 20 packs
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 20 rolls
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls

Tips

For hot drinks, allow two cups per visitor if the market runs for several hours, then add 10% extra. Separate mulled wine cups, coffee cups and reusable cups so volunteers can restock quickly.
Plan one serving spoon for every hot-food container and keep spare knives, forks, spoons, plates and bowls nearby. A reserve of 10% prevents a queue forming while someone washes or collects more.
Give every powered stall enough extension cords and power strips for its equipment, then cover cables with cable mats. Map the power points before shopping so you do not discover on setup day that one outlet must run several kettles and warmers.
Provide a cash box and card machine for each independent payment point, with one backup payment option available. Check card machines and test all electrical equipment before the market opens, not while customers are waiting.
Buy or borrow crates, checkout tables and clear price tags before stall setup. Crates keep stock off the ground and make deliveries easier to sort, while visible prices reduce repeated questions at busy stalls.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a Christmas market?: Start with two cups per expected visitor for a market lasting several hours, then add 10% extra. Buy separate quantities for reusable cups, mulled wine cups and coffee cups because they are not interchangeable at every stall.
What equipment do I need for Christmas market hot drinks?: Allow one coffee machine or kettle for each busy drinks point, plus mulled wine warmers or soup kettles where those drinks are served. Provide suitable cups, serving spoons, extension cords and cable mats, and test everything at least one day before opening.
How many tables do I need for a Christmas market stall?: Plan at least one table for each stall, with additional checkout tables where sellers need separate payment space. Confirm stall sizes and access requirements at least one week before setup so tables, chairs, clothes racks and crates fit the layout.
What should I buy for Christmas market payments?: Each independent seller should have one cash box and one card machine, with a tested charging or power arrangement if needed. Check payment devices and organise change no later than the day before the market; do not leave testing until opening morning.

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