What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and pepernoten. Plan the shopping around the number of children and adults, the length of the programme and whether food is served as a buffet. You will need supplies for drinks, serving, gift distribution, decorations and the sound system. Check what the venue already has at least one week before the event, especially coffee equipment, extension cords, tables and coat racks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 90
Glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 20

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Induction hobsqty 2

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 4
Paper garlandsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tableclothqty 10
Wrapping paper rollsqty 8
Glue rollersqty 4
Gift tagsqty 100
Markersqty 12
Sinterklaas mitresqty 20
Pieten hatsqty 30

Game materials

Bingo cardsqty 100
Bingo cage
Bingo cardsqty 500
Coloring pagesqty 100
Colored pencilsqty 100
Shoe giftsqty 100
Musical instrumentsqty 20
Gift bagsqty 100

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spiced biscuits - 8 bags
- Spiced biscuits - 4 bags
- Chocolate letters - 90 pieces
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Filled speculaas - 4 pieces
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Carrots - 3 bags
- Grapes - 6 bunches
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 6 nets
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Herb cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 8 tubs
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vermicelli - 4 packs
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Vegetarian meatballs - 6 packs
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Mixed salad - 8 bags
- Cucumber salad - 4 tubs
- Salad dressing - 4 bottles
- Custard - 10 liters
- Vanilla sauce - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 cans
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Peppermint - 4 bags
- Honey - 2 jars
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Lactose-free milk - 4 liters
- Vegan spread - 4 tubs
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan one labelled gift for every child and bring a few spare gift bags or labels in case names are damaged or a gift is missing. Keep the complete gift list with the wrapped presents until distribution is finished.
For drinks, allow 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour, then 1 to 2 per hour. Add extra coffee cups, glasses and teaspoons because these are often used faster than plates and cutlery.
For a buffet, prepare one plate and glass per guest, plus about 10% extra. Bring serving spoons, tongs and small bowls separately; these are easy to overlook when the venue supplies standard tableware.
Buy or pack decorations only after checking the room dimensions. Sinterklaas flags and paper garlands need suitable fixing materials, and a small step ladder or volunteer should be arranged before setup starts.
Test microphones, speakers and music equipment at the venue at least 24 hours beforehand. Pack extension cords, power strips and fully charged rechargeable batteries together so the programme is not delayed by missing connections.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan 2 to 3 drinks per guest for the first hour and 1 to 2 for each additional hour. For snacks or buffet food, use the confirmed guest count and add about 10% extra so late registrations and larger portions are covered.
How many gifts do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Prepare exactly one clearly labelled gift for each registered child, matched to the final gift list. Bring 2 to 3 spare labels or gift bags, but do not order extra presents unless the organiser has approved a budget for them.
How much tableware should I buy for a Sinterklaas party?: Start with one plate, glass and set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% spare for breakage, dropped items and volunteers. A buffet also needs at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish, plus small bowls for toppings or snacks.
When should I buy supplies for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Order gifts and non-food supplies at least 3 to 4 weeks before the celebration, especially if names must be matched and gifts wrapped. Buy fresh groceries 1 to 2 days beforehand, and check venue equipment and batteries at least one week before setup.

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