What you need for a Christmas market

A Christmas market needs more than stalls and festive decorations. You’ll need equipment for selling, serving hot drinks, taking payments and keeping cables, stock and queues under control. Plan quantities around the number of stalls, visitors and opening hours, then check power access before buying lights or kettles. This shopping list helps you cover the items people most often remember too late, especially extension leads, cash equipment, signage materials and serving supplies.

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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
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Tableclothsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 6
Storage boxesqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lampsqty 24
Lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable matsqty 12

Equipment

Receipt printersqty 3
Card machinesqty 3
Cash registersqty 3
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Kettlesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 3
Warming kettlesqty 4
Soup kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Handheld megaphonesqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Glassesqty 150
Bowlsqty 100
Platesqty 150
Knivesqty 150
Forksqty 150
Spoonsqty 150
Serving spoonsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 18
Serving tongsqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 4
Heat-resistant glovesqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 24
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Poinsettiasqty 20
Table candlesqty 48
Nativity scene
Notice boardsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 12
Name badgesqty 30
Table numbersqty 20
Wayfinding signsqty 12
Bollardsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Hand sanitizer stationsqty 6
Toilet paper dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 cartons
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Cocoa powder - 2 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Alcohol-free mulled wine - 12 bottles
- Mulled wine - 18 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Hot apple juice - 10 liter
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Christmas biscuits - 10 packs
- Speculaas - 12 packs
- Gingerbread - 8 packs
- Christmas loaf - 8 pieces
- Mini muffins - 12 boxes
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Cream puffs - 8 boxes
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilograms
- Poffertjes - 12 kilograms
- Mini pancake mix - 8 packs
- Powdered sugar - 4 kilogram
- Pancake mix - 8 packs
- Syrup - 6 bottles
- Tomato soup - 20 liters
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Soup vegetables - 8 kilograms
- Baguettes - 18 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilograms
- Herb butter - 3 kilograms
- Sliced cheese - 5 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Cucumber - 6 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Arugula - 2 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Cloves - 4 jars
- Star anise - 4 bags
- Cinnamon sticks - 6 bags
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Lemons - 4 kilograms
- Christmas napkins - 1200 pieces
- Cardboard soup cups - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 1000 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Cone bags - 500 pieces
- Cake plates - 500 pieces
- Coffee cups - 800 pieces
- Lids for coffee cups - 800 pieces
- Napkins for stalls - 1000 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 10 boxes
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfecting cleaner - 4 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Cash change - 600 euro
- Cash register receipt rolls - 12 rolls
- Paper bags - 500 pieces
- Wrapping paper - 10 rolls
- Gift ribbon - 10 rolls
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Name stickers - 200 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 24 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs

Tips

Allow one table or market stall per seller, plus at least one extra table for shared supplies, registration or storage. Add tablecloths in the right sizes before the setup day.
Plan at least one payment method for every busy sales point. Test receipt printers and card machines before opening, and order cash several working days in advance if you will accept it.
For hot drinks, provide one kettle or coffee machine per serving point and keep a separate warming kettle or soup kettle for items that must stay hot. Buy cups, glasses, bowls, plates and knives for the full expected turnover, not just the first round.
Measure the route from each power outlet to the equipment before buying extension cords. Use power strips only where their load is suitable, and cover every cable crossing with a cable mat so the traffic area stays clear.
Buy lighting for every stall and entrance, not only the central area. Combine string lights, LED lamps or lanterns with enough storage boxes and coolers so decorations, stock and chilled items can be packed away safely after the market.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a Christmas market?: Plan for at least two cups per expected hot-drink customer, plus a 10% buffer for spills and extras. For 100 customers, that means buying about 220 cups rather than exactly 200.
How many market stalls do I need for a Christmas market?: Use one stall or suitable table per confirmed seller, then add one extra table for shared supplies or administration. If you have 20 sellers, prepare at least 21 tables or stalls.
How early should I order Christmas market equipment?: Confirm hired furniture, tents, payment equipment and specialist serving equipment at least four weeks before the market. Buy disposable tableware, cables and decorations no later than one week before setup so missing items can still be replaced.
How much cash should I prepare for a Christmas market?: Prepare change for the first two hours of trading, split across the cash registers rather than keeping it in one box. The exact amount depends on your prices, but include coins and small notes in the same currencies customers will use.

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