What you need for an International Christmas Market

A Christmas market needs more than stalls and decorations. This shopping list covers the items that keep food service, drinks, payments and stall setup running smoothly throughout the day. Plan separate supplies for hot drinks, desserts and general serving, then check power and refrigeration before buying fresh food. Reusable cups, cash boxes, extension cords and signage are easy to overlook and often difficult to replace at short notice.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 20
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer table setsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 6
Storage cratesqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 400
Coffee cupsqty 120
Tea glassesqty 120
Platesqty 250
Dessert platesqty 200
Forksqty 250
Knivesqty 150
Spoonsqty 250
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 24
Thermos flasksqty 12
Water jugsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 4
Kettlesqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cash boxesqty 3
Card machinesqty 3
Flashlightsqty 6
String lightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 48
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Cable traysqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Traffic conesqty 12
Cones with ribbonqty 8
Whiteboardsqty 2
Clipboardsqty 6
Price tag hangersqty 30
Clipboardsqty 24
Markersqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Tape dispensersqty 6
Duct tapeqty 12
Cable tiesqty 300
Scissorsqty 8
Tape measuresqty 4
Work glovesqty 12
Pocket money bagsqty 8
Cash boxesqty 3
Price sign holdersqty 30
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Power banksqty 6
Charging cablesqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 12
Umbrellasqty 8
Christmas Market Basketsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lampsqty 24
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 6
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Poinsettiasqty 12
Table décorqty 24
Christmas figuresqty 10
Snow blanketsqty 12
Christmas Music Signsqty 8
Table runnersqty 24
Christmas bowsqty 40
Paper snowflakesqty 60
Decorative gift boxesqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Pliersqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Aluminum traysqty 40
Cooling racksqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
Trash binsqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 6
Laundry basketsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 20 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Mini marshmallows - 3 kilos
- Sugar - 4 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 4 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 16 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Ginger beer - 24 bottles
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 12 liters
- Cinnamon Sticks - 3 boxes
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Oranges - 5 kilos
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Mini butter loaves - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 8 kilos
- Spiced speculaas - 5 kilo
- Spiced cookies - 5 kilo
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Cream puffs - 150 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Party snacks - 4 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Cheese cubes - 6 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Grape jam - 4 jars
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Wraps - 150 pieces
- Falafel - 8 kg
- Tzatziki - 4 kilo
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Chili sauce - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Disposable table paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Disinfectant - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Rinse aid - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 24 pairs

Tips

Allow at least two reusable cups or glasses per visitor expected to drink, plus a separate supply of coffee cups and tea glasses. Add serving spoons, platters and dessert plates before ordering groceries.
Keep hot drinks moving with enough coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks for the busiest hour, rather than relying on one central station. Place water jugs beside the service points so queues do not block preparation.
Check every stall’s power requirement before collecting extension cords and power strips. Keep food warmers, coffee machines and kettles on suitable circuits, and store coolers where fresh produce can remain refrigerated.
Prepare one cash box and one card machine for each active payment point, with cash for change ready before opening. Bring a flashlight for evening checks, cash counts and stalls positioned away from the main lighting.
Buy or collect storage crates, tablecloths and clothes racks before stallholders arrive. They make it easier to separate non-perishable stock, fresh produce and display items without leaving boxes in visitor areas.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an International Christmas Market?: Plan for market stalls, tables, chairs, tablecloths, storage crates and any party tents first. Then add reusable cups, coffee cups, tea glasses, plates, cutlery, serving platters, cash boxes, card machines, power equipment and string lights.
How many cups do I need for a Christmas market?: Start with two reusable cups or glasses per expected drinker, then add a 10% reserve for returns, breakage or busy periods. Buy separate coffee cups and tea glasses if both drinks are served at the same time.
How early should I buy supplies for a Christmas market?: Order rental equipment and non-perishable serving supplies at least 2–4 weeks before the market. Collect fresh groceries as close to opening as practical, and keep refrigerated produce cold until it is needed.
How much power equipment do market stalls need?: List the power needs of every coffee machine, kettle, food warmer and light before buying cables. Have at least one suitable extension cord and power strip for each powered area, with the layout checked before setup day.

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