Christmas market shopping list: what to buy and bring

A Christmas market needs more than products for the stalls. You also need a practical setup for serving hot drinks, displaying goods, guiding visitors and keeping supplies dry and organised. This shopping list covers the equipment and consumables to check before market day, including tents, tables, tableware, decorations and lighting. Use your exhibitor numbers and opening hours to adjust quantities, then place orders early enough for seasonal items and rental equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 18
High tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 18
Clothes racksqty 6
Storage cratesqty 20

Tableware

Mugsqty 180
Glassesqty 180
Platesqty 180
Dessert platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 30
Serving tongsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 12

Decorations

Christmas treeqty 2
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 24
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Poinsettiasqty 20
Artificial snowqty 12
Table decorationsqty 18
Gift boxesqty 30
Ribbonsqty 12
Christmas figuresqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lampsqty 24
Lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 40
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Mulled wine warmersqty 3
Soup kettlesqty 2
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Payment terminalsqty 4
Change cash registersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Oven mittsqty 8
Thermometerqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Mulled wine - 24 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sprite - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 18 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 24 cans
- Chocolate milk powder - 3 kilos
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Sweeteners - 3 boxes
- Honey - 3 jars
- Cinnamon sticks - 4 bags
- Star anise - 3 bags
- Cloves - 3 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Pears - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Christmas stollen - 12 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Mini croissants - 120 pieces
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Goat cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 4 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian spreads - 30 tubs
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Olives - 3 kg
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Cranberry sauce - 3 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 6 grinders
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 4 liters
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Leeks - 4 kilo
- Pumpkin - 8 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 6 liters
- Cooking cream - 5 liters
- Croutons - 3 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 5 kilos
- Mini hot dogs - 8 kilo
- Puff pastry - 40 sheets
- Frozen Forest Berries - 5 kilo
- Apple fritters - 120 pieces
- Mini donuts - 120 pieces
- Speculaas - 8 kilos
- Christmas cookies - 10 kilos
- Pepernoten - 8 kilo
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 kilos
- Chocolate shavings - 2 kilos
- Nut mix - 5 kilos
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Popcorn - 4 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 kilo
- Plain chips - 6 kilo
- Snacks - 5 kilos
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Cardboard cups - 600 pieces
- Cardboard plates - 400 pieces
- Wooden cutlery - 400 sets
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls

Tips

Plan one market stall or table position per confirmed exhibitor, then add at least one spare table for shared supplies, information or last-minute changes. Reserve tents and furniture before the final exhibitor list is closed.
For hot drinks, allow two to three servings per visitor during the first hour and prepare enough mugs or cups for one full service round plus at least 20% extra. Thermos flasks help keep queues moving when several stalls serve at once.
Buy or bring serving platters, tongs, spoons and plates according to the number of food stalls, not just the expected visitor total. Keep one separate set for each stall where dietary requirements or allergen control matter.
Check lighting after dark, not only during setup. Use string lights and LED lamps for walkways, stall fronts and the serving area, and keep spare batteries, extension leads or backup lamps with the event supplies.
Sort decorations into labelled boxes before loading the venue. Christmas baubles, garlands, wreaths, gift boxes and ribbons are easy to forget when they are stored separately, while artificial snow and table decorations should be packed last to avoid damage.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Christmas market stall?: For each stall, plan the required market stall or table, a tablecloth, storage crates, suitable display equipment and lighting. Add serving platters, tongs, plates or mugs only when that exhibitor is serving food or drinks. Confirm the final equipment count at least 1 week before setup.
How many mugs and glasses do I need for a Christmas market?: Start with one mug or glass per expected serving in circulation, then add at least 20% extra for queues, breakage and delayed washing. For hot drinks, thermos flasks reduce the number of refills needed during the first hour. Finalise the quantity after confirming the visitor estimate and opening time.
How early should I order Christmas market decorations?: Order seasonal decorations and reserve tents, tables and chairs at least 2 to 4 weeks before the market. Popular rental items and Christmas lighting may be unavailable sooner during December. Sort and check every decoration several days before loading the venue.
What food and drink supplies are easy to forget at a Christmas market?: People often miss serving spoons, tongs, dessert plates, thermos flasks, tablecloths and storage crates. Check these against the number of food and drink stalls, then pack at least one spare serving set per 5 stalls. Chill drinks and prepare hot drink bases before opening, not during the first visitor rush.

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