What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and sweets. You will need serving equipment, hot-drink supplies, decorations, wrapping materials and items for games or a treasure hunt. This shopping list helps you prepare the gift table, buffet and children’s activities without last-minute trips to the shop. Check the number of registered guests first, then adjust food, drinks, seating and gifts to match the final attendance.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Coat racksqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Gift table
Children's benchesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 4
Pieten balloonsqty 40
Red balloonsqty 40
Gold garlandsqty 8
Red tableclothsqty 8
Sinterklaas postersqty 6
Craft paperqty 2
Glue sticksqty 12
Scissor setsqty 6
Name badgesqty 70
Gift tagsqty 70
Wrapping paper rollsqty 8
Gift ribbonqty 6
Photo backdrop

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Projector
Projection screen

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Bowlsqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Hot traysqty 4
Can openersqty 2

Sports equipment

Burlap sacksqty 8
Bean bagsqty 12
Hoopsqty 6
Plastic cups for the gameqty 30
Scavenger hunt arrowsqty 20
Quiz buzzersqty 4

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Broom
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Small gifts - 60 pieces
- Spiced cookie bits - 6 kilo
- Pepernoten - 3 kilos
- Chocolate letters - 60 pieces
- Marzipan - 2 kilos
- Marshmallows - 2 kilos
- Speculaas - 3 kilos
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini raisin buns - 70 pieces
- White bread rolls - 70 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Wraps - 50 pieces
- Herb cream cheese - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Dried Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Vegetarian quiche - 6 pieces
- Mini pizzas - 80 pieces
- Chicken nuggets - 3 kilo
- Vegetarian snacks - 3 kilos
- Soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Poffertjes - 250 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilo
- Syrup - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet Labels - 30 pieces

Tips

Buy gifts only after checking the collected wishes and registrations. Keep a parcel list, then label every wrapped gift before the celebration so nothing has to be identified in front of the children.
Plan tableware for every confirmed guest, plus roughly 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery sets if you do not want to wash up during the event.
Prepare hot drinks before guests arrive. Fill thermos flasks with coffee and tea, and set out coffee cups, pitchers and serving tongs at the buffet rather than searching for them once the programme has started.
Buy wrapping paper, ribbon and gift tags before buying the presents. Allow at least one evening for wrapping and labelling, especially when gifts are being distributed using a parcel list.
Set aside separate supplies for the children’s activities. Print scavenger-hunt cards and quiz cards in advance, and keep craft paper, glue sticks and scissors together so the activity table can open immediately.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan for gifts, wrapping paper, ribbon and gift tags, plus food and drinks for the confirmed guests. Add tableware, buffet supplies, decorations and materials for the games, quiz or treasure hunt. The exact quantities depend on your registration list.
How many plates and cups do I need for a Sinterklaas party?: Count one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add about 10% spare capacity. For 30 confirmed guests, prepare 33 of each item if you want a buffer for spills, dropped items or unexpected visitors.
When should I buy Sinterklaas gifts?: Buy them after collecting gift wishes and confirming registrations, ideally at least two weeks before the celebration. Check every gift, wrap it, add a name tag and update the parcel list several days before the event.
What decorations do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Use Sinterklaas flags, posters, red balloons, Pieten balloons, gold garlands and red tablecloths to dress the room and buffet. Add name badges, a photo backdrop and craft supplies if the programme includes introductions or a children’s activity.

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.