What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

Use this shopping list to prepare a Sinterklaas celebration without leaving key items until the last minute. It covers gifts and gift-table supplies, decorations, snacks, hot drinks, cold drinks, and the equipment needed for music and announcements. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and allow time to wrap and sort gifts by group. Test microphones, speakers, extension cords, and batteries before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 100
Buffet tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 3
Coat hangersqty 100
Stoolsqty 8

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 4
Sinterklaas helper postersqty 12
Wall decorationsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Craft paperqty 5
Colored cardboardqty 3
Tapeqty 6
Double-sided tapeqty 4
Scissorsqty 8
Glue sticksqty 12
Plastic gift boxesqty 6
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Plastic bishop’s mitreqty 2
Plastic staff

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Music player
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 8
Battery chargerqty 2
Laptop
HDMI cableqty 2
Projector
Projector screen
Camera

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 8
Food containersqty 20
Storage boxesqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Baking traysqty 6
Oven mittsqty 6
Kitchen tongsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 110
Reusable bowlsqty 100
Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Forksqty 110
Knivesqty 110
Spoonsqty 110
Coffee spoonsqty 80
Serving traysqty 8
Water jugsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sparkling juice - 6 bottles
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Baby potatoes - 10 kilo
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 10 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Minced meat - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian mince - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 5 kilos
- Frankfurters - 10 cans
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wraps - 8 packs
- Butter - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Raw vegetable dressing - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Vinegar - 2 bottles
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Spiced cookies - 12 kilos
- Spiced nuts - 10 kilos
- Chocolate letters - 90 pieces
- Marzipan - 3 kilos
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 100 pieces
- Candy bags - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Apple pies - 6 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Sprinkles - 4 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 8 pieces
Catering warmersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Diet food labelsqty 30
Buffet place cardsqty 20
Reusable tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 8
Drink dispensersqty 4
Pitchersqty 8
Cookie tinsqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleanerqty 2
Broomqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towelsqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4
Foldable waste containersqty 6

Sports equipment

Pieten course matsqty 8
Hoopsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Soft ballsqty 12
Burlap sacksqty 10
Target boxesqty 4
Gym ribbonsqty 20

Tips

Buy or confirm all gifts at least 7 days before the celebration. Sort them by group and prepare name tags before wrapping, so the gift table is ready without last-minute searching.
For the first hour, plan on 2 to 3 drinks per person, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Chill cold drinks in advance and leave enough fridge space for snacks and milk.
Set aside coffee, tea, sugar, milk, cups, napkins, and serving trays together. Prepare these supplies at least 1 hour before guests arrive, rather than mixing them into the main buffet setup.
Buy decoration materials with a small reserve: allow 1 roll of tape, 1 pair of scissors, and extra cardboard or craft paper for repairs and last-minute signs. Attach wall decorations only after the room layout is final.
Check the sound setup at least 30 minutes before the program starts. Test both wireless microphones, speakers, the mixer, music player, extension cords, power strips, and rechargeable batteries.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan for gifts, wrapping and name-tag materials, snacks, hot and cold drinks, cups, plates, napkins, and decorations such as flags, balloons, bunting, and posters. If there is a stage program, include microphones, speakers, batteries, and power cables. Check the complete shopping list at least 7 days before the event.
How many drinks do I need per person for Sinterklaas?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per additional hour. Buy a mix of cold drinks, coffee, and tea, and chill the cold drinks at least 2 hours before guests arrive.
How early should I buy Sinterklaas gifts?: Buy the gifts at least 7 days before the celebration. Use the extra time to check the gift list, sort gifts by group, make name tags, and wrap everything without rushing.
What should I prepare for the Sinterklaas gift table?: Prepare the gifts, name tags, wrapping materials, and a clear table or buffet table. Set it up at least 30 minutes before the program starts, leaving enough space for gifts to be placed and collected safely.

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