Christmas market shopping list

A Christmas market needs more than stalls and decorations. This shopping list covers the practical supplies that keep 73 planned tasks moving, from lighting and cable safety to hot drinks, signage and sales equipment. Check what can be borrowed or rented before buying anything. Order seasonal items, electrical equipment and market furniture early, then buy perishable stock close to opening day so it stays fresh.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Sales stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 14
Beer tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 20
Market stall tarpaulinsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 18
LED lampsqty 24
Battery lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable matsqty 12

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 6
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Christmas figuresqty 10
Table décorqty 20
Christmas tree standsqty 6
Cable tiesqty 200
Rope rollsqty 4
Notice boardsqty 12
Price tagsqty 150
Permanent markersqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Warming kettlesqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Payment terminalsqty 2
Hand trucksqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Toolboxesqty 2
Laddersqty 2
Batteriesqty 24

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8
Food containersqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 250
Soup bowlsqty 150
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Teaspoonsqty 100
Mulled Wine Cupsqty 150
Napkin holdersqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 8 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilo
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Sugar - 4 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Cinnamon sticks - 4 bags
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 10 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Chai syrup - 4 bottles
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Star anise - 3 bags
- Cloves - 3 jars
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Christmas cookies - 10 boxes
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Spiced cookie bits - 6 kilo
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Corn kernels - 4 cans
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini rolls - 200 pieces
- Croissant dough - 20 rolls
- Pancakes - 200 pieces
- Pancake mix - 8 kilos
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Wheat flour - 5 kilos
- Savory pie - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 120 pieces
- Frankfurters - 180 pieces
- Tomato soup - 20 liters
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Hot dog buns - 200 pieces
- Grated cheese - 4 kilos
- Fried onions - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Ham - 4 kilos
- Smoked chicken - 3 kilo
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Herb mix - 10 sachets
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 30 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Cardboard snack trays - 300 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Coffee stirrers - 500 pieces
- Sugar sticks - 500 pieces
- Fries sauce - 3 liter
- Chili sauce - 2 liters
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
Cash boxqty 2
Change boxesqty 2
Thermal food containersqty 6
Drink cratesqty 12
Cooling matsqty 12
Labelsqty 200
Allergen cardsqty 20
Storage binsqty 20

Cleaning

Broomsqty 4
Dustpansqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Waste binsqty 10
Glovesqty 20
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Tips

Plan one clearly marked power route for each group of stalls. Buy or reserve extension cords, power strips and cable mats before the event rather than trying to source them on the day.
Give every stall a visible price list and keep permanent markers and spare price tags in a central box. Prepare at least 10% more tags than the number of products being sold.
For a four-hour market, allow roughly two hot drink servings per visitor if drinks are a main attraction. Keep coffee machines, kettles, warming kettles and food warmers together near a safe power supply.
Buy or reserve one table covering for every sales table, plus a few spares for spills and weather. Kraamzeilen and rope rolls should be ready before setup if stalls are outdoors.
Test every string light, LED lamp and battery lantern at least 48 hours before opening. Keep spare batteries, cable ties and a small set of replacement lighting supplies with the event equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Christmas market stall?: You typically need a market stall or tent, a table, tablecloth, signage, price tags, lighting and a safe payment setup. Prepare these supplies at least 48 hours before opening so missing items can still be replaced.
How much hot drink equipment do I need for a Christmas market?: For a busy four-hour market, plan equipment that can serve about two hot drinks per visitor when drinks are a main attraction. Use coffee machines and kettles for preparation, with warming kettles or food warmers to keep batches available during service.
When should I buy Christmas market decorations?: Buy seasonal decorations, Christmas trees, garlands and lights at least two to four weeks before the market. Test the lighting and label each decoration box at least 48 hours before setup.
What lighting and cable supplies are needed for an outdoor Christmas market?: Plan string lights or LED lamps for each stall area, plus extension cords, power strips and cable mats for every cable route. Finalise the power layout at least one week ahead and test all connections 48 hours before opening.

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