What to buy for a parish Christmas market

A parish Christmas market needs more than stalls and decorations. You will need serving equipment for hot drinks and soup, tableware for visitors, furniture for stallholders, and storage for stock and supplies. This shopping list also covers practical items that are easy to miss, such as extension cords, coolers and serving trays. Check quantities against the number of stalls, volunteers and expected visitors before you shop, then collect chilled goods as close to opening time as possible.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 18
Chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tablecloth coversqty 18
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage cratesqty 20

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Glassesqty 150
Mugsqty 100
Platesqty 150
Soup bowlsqty 100
Knivesqty 150
Forksqty 150
Spoonsqty 150
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 8
Kettlesqty 4
Soup kettlesqty 3
Soup ladlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 20
Pliersqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Serving traysqty 10
Containers with lidsqty 20
Hot traysqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 10
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Cash boxesqty 3
Card machinesqty 2
Label printersqty 2
Cable matsqty 12
Bollardsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 40

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Christmas figuresqty 12
Menu boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Stall number cardsqty 12
Price tagsqty 200
Table decorationsqty 18

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand sanitizer bottlesqty 6
Waste binsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 20 liters
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange soda - 8 liters
- Bitter lemon - 6 liter
- Spa Blauw - 24 liter
- Spa Rood - 12 liters
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee creamer - 6 bottles
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 4 boxes
- Cinnamon - 3 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Christmas cookies - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 kilogram
- Marshmallows - 3 kilograms
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Pea soup - 25 liters
- Tomato soup - 15 liters
- Vegetable stock - 2 kilogram
- Soup vegetables - 8 kilograms
- Smoked sausage - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian smoked sausage - 15 pieces
- Mustard - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- French fries - 20 kilograms
- Sunflower oil - 10 liters
- Vega snacks - 10 boxes
- Bitterballen - 15 boxes
- Mini frikandels - 10 boxes
- Satay sauce - 5 liters
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Christmas stollen - 12 pieces
- Gingerbread - 8 packs
- Mixed nuts - 5 kilograms
- Cheese cubes - 5 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Vegan toppings - 20 tubs
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 6 packs
- Allergen labels - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 1,000 pieces
- Coffee filters - 3 packs
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Wooden forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden Knives - 500 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 500 pieces
- Cardboard soup bowls - 300 pieces
- Cardboard cups - 500 pieces
- Cup lids - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Paper carrier bags - 300 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 200 pieces
- Food storage containers - 100 pieces
- Label stickers - 10 sheets
- Lighters - 6 pieces

Tips

Count one place setting per expected seated visitor, then add 10% extra plates, bowls, cups, mugs, knives, forks and spoons for breakages and unexpected demand.
Plan at least one thermos flask or kettle for each hot-drink service point, and provide separate soup kettles and ladles if soup is served in more than one area.
Allow one table and two chairs for each stall unless your confirmed booth layout says otherwise. Add storage crates so stallholders can keep reserve stock off the floor.
Buy or borrow serving trays, serving platters and serving spoons before the week of the market; these are often forgotten when food suppliers are contacted first.
Check every electrical item and extension cord before setup day. Bring enough coolers for chilled goods and arrange collection shortly before opening rather than storing them overnight.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and plates do I need for a parish Christmas market?: Start with one complete set per expected seated visitor, then add 10% extra. For 100 visitors, prepare at least 110 cups or mugs, plates, bowls, knives, forks and spoons, adjusting the mix for drinks and soup.
How much furniture is needed for each market stall?: Allow one market stall or table and two chairs per stallholder as a starting point. Confirm the final count after registrations, because a shared booth or clothing stall may also need a clothes rack and storage crates.
When should I buy chilled food for the Christmas market?: Buy shelf-stable supplies in advance, but collect chilled goods as close to opening time as practical. A same-day pickup keeps coolers manageable and reduces the risk of food being stored at the wrong temperature.
How many extension cords do I need for a parish Christmas market?: Count every powered kettle, soup kettle and other electrical station, then provide at least one suitable extension cord per station. Keep one spare cord available and check cable routes before stalls are placed.

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.