What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and festive decorations. Plan the supplies for serving snacks and drinks, keeping gifts organised, and setting up a clear reception, buffet and gift table. For a smooth afternoon, check dietary requirements before shopping and allow time to chill drinks, wrap presents and label every gift. This list also covers practical items that are easy to overlook, such as coffee equipment, waste bins, extension cords and coat storage.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitcherqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 8

Equipment

Portable speakerqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 4
Sinterklaas decoration
Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 10
Gift basketsqty 4
Plastic mitersqty 20
Piet hatsqty 20
String lightsqty 4

Game materials

Shoesqty 30
Coloring pagesqty 60
Colored pencilsqty 12
Sinterklaas quiz cards
Diceqty 6
Burlap sacksqty 4
Ring toss set

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multivitamin juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Spiced biscuits - 8 bags
- Chocolate spiced cookies - 5 bags
- Spiced biscuits - 4 bags
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Filled speculaas - 4 pieces
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mini sausages - 6 packs
- Puff pastry - 8 rolls
- Cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Mini pizzas - 8 boxes
- Vegetarian snacks - 6 boxes
- French fries sauce - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes
- Disposable aluminum trays - 20 pieces
- Skewers - 200 pieces
- Diet-friendly cookies - 4 packs

Tips

Buy or prepare one clearly labelled gift for every registered guest, then keep a small buffer of 2–3 extra gifts if attendance may change. Sort the gifts before guests arrive and place them in gift baskets or on the gift table.
Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in advance and check that you have enough reusable cups, coffee cups, pitchers and thermos flasks.
Allow one reusable plate, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra for replacements. Add serving platters, cutting boards and kitchen knives so snacks can be portioned and served without using the gift table.
Set up the buffet and drinks table at least 30 minutes before the programme starts. Keep tablecloths, decorations and serving equipment separate from the food, and place waste bins where guests can reach them easily.
Test the portable speaker and microphone before guests arrive, and check extension cords and power strips at least 1 hour beforehand. Set up the stage corner, Sinterklaas decorations, flags, bunting and hats before the arrival rush.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan gifts, snacks, drinks, tableware, coffee supplies and decorations. You will also need practical items such as waste bins, coat racks, serving platters, coolers, extension cords and power strips.
How many drinks do I need for a Sinterklaas party?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1–2 more for every following hour. Buy extra if the celebration lasts several hours or includes many children and adults with different drink preferences.
How many gifts should I prepare for Sinterklaas?: Prepare one labelled gift for every person on the final guest list. If registrations are still changing, prepare 2–3 extra gifts or confirm the final number at least 2 days before the celebration.
When should I wrap and label Sinterklaas gifts?: Wrap and label all gifts at least 1 day before the celebration. Sort them by recipient and place them on the gift table shortly before the programme begins, so names stay private and gifts do not get mixed up.

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