What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and sweets. Plan supplies for children, adults, serving, decorations and the gift table, with quantities matched to your guest list. Buy children’s gifts early enough to allow for delivery, checking names and wrapping each package. Drinks, cups, plates and serving equipment are easy to underestimate, especially when coffee and tea are served alongside refreshments. Use your confirmed attendance and dietary requirements to turn this list into a final shopping run.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes racksqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 3
Gift tableqty 2
Children’s tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Tea glassesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Milk jugsqty 4
Sugar bowlsqty 4

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 6
Paper garlandsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Sinterklaas helper postersqty 8
Chimney backdrop
Wrapping paper rollsqty 6
Name stickersqty 100
Tableclothsqty 10
LED light stringsqty 6
Photo frame

Equipment

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

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermometerqty 2
Kitchen glovesqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Cutting and serving boardsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Cocoa powder - 2 cans
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multi-fruit juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Pepernoten - 8 kilo
- Spiced cookie bits - 6 kilo
- Spiced biscuits - 5 packs
- Filled speculaas - 4 pieces
- Chocolate letters - 90 pieces
- Marzipan - 3 kilos
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Taaitaai - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 120 pieces
- Wraps - 8 packs
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Soup - 12 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 4 liters
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Sugar sachets - 200 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet-friendly cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spread - 4 tubs

Tips

Buy one clearly labelled gift for every registered child, plus at least 2–3 spare name stickers and a small amount of extra wrapping paper for last-minute changes.
For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per adult and 1–2 drinks per child, then add hot drinks if coffee and tea are part of the programme. Chill bottled drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
Count reusable plates, cups and cutlery against the maximum number of guests, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each item used during the meal or buffet.
Order or collect decorations at least 1 week before the celebration. Check that you have a balloon pump, enough tablecloths and a suitable backdrop before the venue setup day.
Prepare the gift table with wrapping paper, gift tags and name stickers at least 1 day ahead. Sort presents by child and keep the visitor list nearby so no package is handed to the wrong person.

Frequently asked questions

How many gifts do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan one gift for every registered child. Buy or prepare 2–3 spare name stickers and allow extra wrapping paper for replacements or late registrations, but do not order duplicate gifts unless your programme requires them.
How many drinks should I buy for Sinterklaas?: For the first hour, plan 2–3 drinks per adult and 1–2 per child. Add coffee and tea separately, and increase the total if the celebration lasts longer than 2–3 hours.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets are needed?: Count one complete place setting per guest at the busiest point of the celebration, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare 55 plates, 55 cups and 55 cutlery sets.
When should I buy Sinterklaas decorations and wrapping supplies?: Buy decorations and wrapping supplies at least 1 week before the event. Wrap and label the gifts no later than the day before, leaving time to fix missing names or damaged packaging.

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