What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and sweets. Plan the serving equipment, hot drinks, soup, decorations and activity supplies before shopping day, especially if the event is held at a venue with limited kitchen equipment. Count registered guests first, then add a small buffer for drinks, tableware and craft materials. Keep gifts together, labelled and out of sight until the gift moment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Coat racksqty 3
Gift table

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 80
Soup bowlsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Soup kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving traysqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Sinterklaas bannersqty 4
Pieten paper garlandsqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 8
Shoe gift bagsqty 70
Name badgesqty 80
String lightsqty 4

Activities

Coloring pagesqty 80
Colored pencil setsqty 15
Children's apronsqty 15
Children's scissors setsqty 15
Glue sticksqty 20
Markersqty 15
Craft table runnersqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea bags - 120 pieces
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilo
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Pepernoten - 8 kilos
- Spiced ginger cookies - 4 kilos
- Chocolate gingerbread cookies - 3 kilos
- Speculaas - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Tomato soup - 10 liters
- Vegetable soup - 5 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 5 liters
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 30 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Frankfurters - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian frankfurters - 15 pieces
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Allergy-free cookies - 3 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill bottled drinks in advance and keep extra stock in a cool place.
For a soup-and-bread meal, plan one bowl of soup and two slices of bread per guest, plus around 10% extra. Check that you have enough soup kettles, serving spoons, bowls and knives before shopping.
Match reusable plates, glasses, cups and cutlery to the registration list, adding at least 10% spare pieces. Coffee and tea service often needs its own cups, kettles, coffee machines and thermos flasks.
Buy or prepare one clearly labelled gift bag for every child, and keep a separate gift table ready. Store the gifts safely before the celebration so children cannot see them during setup.
For a colouring activity, provide one colouring page and at least one usable set of pencils or crayons per child, with 10% extra. Put the supplies out only after the tables and decorations are in place.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: For a simple meal, plan one bowl of soup and two slices of bread per guest, with about 10% extra for seconds and spills. Add drinks, coffee or tea, and any dietary alternatives collected during registration.
How many drinks should I buy for a Sinterklaas party?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by roughly one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy about 10% extra if guests include children or if the event lasts more than two hours.
How many gifts and gift bags do I need?: Prepare one gift for each registered child and one labelled shoe gift bag per child. Finish labelling at least one day before the celebration so misplaced gifts can be found before guests arrive.
When should I buy decorations and craft supplies for Sinterklaas?: Buy decorations and activity supplies at least one week before the event, then check the quantities against the registration list two to three days before shopping. This leaves time to replace missing colouring pages, name badges or balloons.

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