Christmas Market Shopping List

A Christmas market needs more than stalls and festive decorations. You’ll need a safe power setup, clear signs, working payment terminals, lighting for darker hours and enough supplies for sellers, volunteers and visitors. This checklist helps you buy and gather the essentials before setup day, including items that are often forgotten until the first delivery arrives. Use the quantities for your expected attendance and add extra stock where chilled food or drinks are involved.

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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 40
High tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 24
Changing room screen

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lampsqty 20
Christmas tree lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 10
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 8

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 80
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Poinsettiasqty 10
Artificial snowqty 6
Nativity scene
Photo backdrop
Santa costume
Name badgesqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Program boardsqty 4

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 3
Power banksqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Hot boxesqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Christmas light projectorqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 180
Glassesqty 180
Platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 180
Spoonsqty 180
Serving traysqty 12
Small bowlsqty 24
Sugar bowlsqty 6
Milk jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum traysqty 30
Food storage containersqty 12
Oven mittsqty 6
Serving traysqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Towel holdersqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 24
Waste sorting binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Mulled wine - 20 liter
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol 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
- Cranberry juice - 4 liter
- Cinnamon sticks - 3 bags
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 250 pieces
- Paper plates - 250 pieces
- Wooden forks - 250 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 250 pieces
- Satay skewers - 250 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 5 kilograms
- Walnuts - 1 kilogram
- Almonds - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed snacks - 5 bags
- Christmas cookies - 8 packs
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Gingerbread cookies - 5 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Candy canes - 150 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilogram
- Pancake mix - 4 kilograms
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Pancake batter milk - 8 liters
- Syrup - 4 bottles
- Nutella - 3 jars
- Applesauce - 3 jars
- Pea soup - 20 liters
- Tomato soup - 10 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 8 liters
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Frankfurters - 180 pieces
- Vegan hot dogs - 40 pieces
- Sauerkraut - 5 kilograms
- Fried onions - 2 kilogram
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Bitterballen - 400 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 120 pieces
- Vlammetjes - 150 pieces
- Frying oil - 10 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 300 pieces
- Napkins for hot drinks - 250 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms

Tips

Plan at least one market stall or sales table for each seller, plus one extra table for shared supplies, sign-in or payment support. Order tents and tables early if the market is outdoors, especially when several exhibitors are delivering on the same day.
Allow roughly two to three drinks per visitor during the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep chilled products in a fridge until needed and prepare a separate reserve for volunteers and stallholders.
Measure every cable route before buying extension cords, power strips and cable mats. Keep cables away from walkways and use a cable mat wherever visitors cross a powered route; do not rely on one long cord for the whole market.
Use battery lanterns or LED lamps as backup lighting, even when you have string lights and Christmas tree lights. Test all lights, speakers, the mixer, microphone and payment terminals at least one day before opening.
Buy or print directional signs, program boards, price lists and name badges before setup begins. Bring spare signs and markers, because prices, stall assignments and delivery instructions commonly change during the final week.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Christmas market?: For drinks, plan on two to three servings per visitor in the first hour and about one serving per visitor for every following hour. Add a 10% reserve for volunteers, exhibitors and unexpected demand, and keep chilled items refrigerated until service.
How many Christmas market stalls and tables do I need?: Start with one stall or sales table per seller, then add at least one extra table for registration, shared stock or payment support. If visitors need seating, allow four to six chairs per table and provide separate high tables for standing areas.
How early should I buy Christmas market decorations and equipment?: Buy or reserve tents, market stalls, tables, lighting and payment terminals several weeks before the event. Check deliveries and test electrical and payment equipment at least 24 hours before opening, so replacements can still be arranged.
What power and lighting equipment do I need for an outdoor Christmas market?: Use extension cords, power strips and cable mats matched to the measured cable routes, with one backup lighting option such as battery lanterns. Record every power point and test the complete setup at least one day before visitors arrive.

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