What you need for a Christmas market

A Christmas market needs more than products to sell. You also need the practical items that keep stalls organised, visible and open throughout the day. Use this shopping list to check furniture, lighting, decorations, hot and chilled drink equipment, signs and cash handling before shopping. Confirm power access, waste collection and vendor needs early, because extension leads, cable covers and extra serving equipment are easy to overlook once stalls are assigned.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 8
Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 18
Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 80
Tableclothsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 6
Stoolsqty 12
Flip chartsqty 12
Information desk

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lampsqty 20
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Poinsettiasqty 12
Nativity scene
Lanternsqty 20
Table décorqty 24
Booth numbersqty 12
Price tagsqty 100
Craft paper
Colored pencils
Christmas coloring pages

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Warming kettlesqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Cash boxesqty 3
Cash machinesqty 2
Cable reelsqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Tableware

Mugsqty 150
Glassesqty 150
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Scissorsqty 4
Soup ladlesqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 8
Storage binsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Thermo boxesqty 6
Oven mittsqty 6
Apronsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Hand broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning cart
Towelsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 10 cans
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Mulled wine - 20 liter
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Sparkling juice - 12 bottles
- Apple fritters - 150 pieces
- Oliebollen - 200 pieces
- Mini sausages - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian mini sausages - 4 kilo
- Puff pastry snacks - 200 pieces
- Vegetarian puff pastry snacks - 100 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 4 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Gingerbread - 8 packs
- Christmas Cookies - 10 packs
- Spiced cookies - 5 kilo
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 250 pieces
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Disposable bags - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Trash bags - 150 pieces

Tips

Allow one market stall or table for each confirmed vendor, then keep at least one spare table for shared supplies, paperwork or last-minute changes.
Plan lighting for every stall and walkway: use weather-suitable string lights or LED lamps, plus enough extension cords, power strips and cable mats to keep cables off walking routes.
Buy or collect price tags, booth numbers and route signs before vendors arrive. Prepare at least one complete set per stall and keep spare signs and markers together.
Keep chilled products in coolers until they are needed, and arrange warming kettles, coffee machines or kettles close to the power supply rather than relying on one outlet at the last minute.
Count cash boxes before opening and prepare one for each stall that takes cash. Keep a small reserve of bags, labels, table décor and disposable serving items if vendors are not supplying their own.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a Christmas market?: Most markets need stalls or tables, chairs or stools, lighting, extension cords, power strips, cable mats, cash boxes and signs. Add coffee machines, kettles, warming kettles or coolers according to the products being served.
How many Christmas market stalls do I need?: Start with one stall or table for every confirmed vendor. Add at least one spare table for shared supplies, registration or a vendor change, and check the final number after assignments are confirmed.
How much lighting do I need for a Christmas market?: Plan lighting for every stall plus the main customer route and entrances. Check the layout and power supply at least one week before the market so you can add extension cords, power strips or cable mats in time.
When should I buy supplies for a Christmas market?: Buy non-perishable supplies, signs, price tags and decorations at least one to two weeks beforehand. Collect chilled products and other temperature-sensitive items on the day, keeping them cool until stalls are ready.

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