What to buy for a Christmas market at a station

A station Christmas market needs more than decorations and stock. You will need equipment that works in a busy public space, serving items for hot drinks and food, and a reliable way to take payments when queues build up. Plan quantities around the number of stalls, traders and visitors, then check what suppliers provide before buying anything. Power access, weather protection and secure storage are easy to overlook until setup day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 10
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 6
Clothes racksqty 8
Storage cratesqty 20
Transport cartsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Glassesqty 150
Platesqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving traysqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Hot drink urnsqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Card machinesqty 6
Cash registersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable matsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6
Whiteboardsqty 2
Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Food containersqty 20

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 100
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Table runnersqty 20
Christmas figuresqty 12
Holder framesqty 12
Directional signsqty 16
Prize card holdersqty 40

Lighting

Light Stripsqty 12
LED lampsqty 20
Batteriesqty 40
Lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Sugar - 4 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon - 3 nets
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Cinnamon sticks - 4 bags
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Oranges - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Christmas Cookies - 10 packs
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Mini waffles - 6 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Red pesto - 6 jars
- Cucumber - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Olives - 3 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 3 jars
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 120 pieces
- Meat snacks - 160 pieces
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 mills
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Food gloves - 4 boxes
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Disposable tablecloths - 20 pieces
- Receipt rolls - 10 rolls
- Cash for change - 400 euro
- Labels - 10 sheets
- Permanent markers - 12 pieces
- Tape - 10 rolls
- Cable ties - 300 pieces
- Cable ties - 100 pieces
- Paper bags - 500 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 200 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one table per stall, plus a separate high table or serving point where queues could block the main walkway. Confirm the stall layout before ordering extra furniture.
For hot drinks, provide one cup per expected serving plus at least 10% spare. Kettles, coffee machines and hot drink urns should be tested before delivery day, not when the market opens.
Count glasses, plates, knives, forks and spoons separately; a busy stall can run short of one item while the rest of the tableware remains unused. Add around 10% spare for breakages and dropped items.
Plan one extension cord and one power strip for each powered stall, then add cable mats wherever leads cross a public route. Check outlet locations and cable lengths with the station before buying.
Keep a transport route in mind when choosing storage: opbergkratten and transport carts make it easier to move stock from the delivery point to the stalls. Bring flashlights for early or late setup, especially if access areas are poorly lit.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Christmas market at a station?: Plan for market stalls, tables, chairs or high tables, weather protection, storage, serving ware, hot-drink equipment, payment equipment and power supplies. The exact quantity depends on the number of stalls and traders, but start with one complete serving setup per stall and confirm what each supplier already provides.
How many cups and plates do I need for a Christmas market?: Allow one cup, plate and full cutlery place setting per planned serving, then add at least 10% spare. For example, 200 expected servings means planning for about 220 cups and 220 place settings, adjusted for the menu.
How much power equipment is needed for a Christmas market stall?: Budget for one extension cord and one power strip per powered stall, with cable mats for every cable crossing a walkway. Check the station's available outlets and maximum load at least one week before the event so equipment can be redistributed if needed.
When should I order Christmas market equipment and supplies?: Confirm suppliers and delivery times at least two weeks before the market, and complete a stock check three to five days before setup. Test coffee machines, kettles, card machines and other powered equipment before the final delivery window.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.