What you need for a Sinterklaas celebration

A Sinterklaas celebration needs more than gifts and snacks. Plan supplies for the buffet, hot drinks, children’s activities, decorations and the sound setup. Use the guest count to work out plates, cups and drinks, then add a small margin for breakage and unexpected guests. Gifts also need wrapping paper, labels and a checking system before they are placed out. This list helps you buy everything in time and avoid last-minute supermarket or hardware-store trips.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 75
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 4
Pieten balloonsqty 40
Tableclothsqty 8
Wrapping paper rollsqty 8
String lightsqty 4
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Laptop
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 8
Aluminum serving traysqty 8

Sinterklaas

Gift bagsqty 6
Gift stickersqty 80
Giftsqty 60
Staff

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beers - 2 cases
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Spiced cookies - 8 bags
- Spiced biscuits - 8 bags
- Chocolate spiced cookies - 5 bags
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Filled speculaas - 4 pieces
- Marzipan - 3 packs
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa sauce - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Liver sausage - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Mandarins - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Spring rolls - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 60 pieces
- Mini sausages - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Buy and label all gifts at least two to three days before the celebration. Keep a separate guest list nearby so every present can be checked before it goes on the gift table.
For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person per hour. Chill soft drinks in advance and keep extra bottles or cartons in coolers.
Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass, coffee cup and cutlery set per guest, then add around 10% extra. Serving platters, tongs and spoons are easy to overlook when ordering buffet food.
Wrap and label gifts with names before the venue opens. Bring at least one full roll of wrapping paper and spare labels in case a present is damaged or a last-minute gift is added.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, wireless microphone, laptop, extension cords and power strips before guests arrive. A 15-minute sound check prevents a missing cable or flat battery from interrupting the programme.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a Sinterklaas celebration?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person per hour after that. Buy buffet snacks according to the guest count, plus about 10% extra, and collect dietary requirements before placing the grocery order.
How many plates, glasses and cups do I need for Sinterklaas?: Provide one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass, coffee cup and cutlery set per guest. Add roughly 10% extra, so a group of 30 needs 33 of each item where possible.
When should I buy and wrap Sinterklaas gifts?: Buy the gifts at least one week before the celebration if possible, and wrap and label them two to three days in advance. Check every name and gift before setting them out.
What decorations and equipment are needed for a Sinterklaas party?: Plan tablecloths, Sinterklaas flags, Pieten balloons, string lights and any photo backdrop or props you want to use. Have the speaker and microphone connected and tested at least 15 minutes before guests arrive.

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