What to buy for Sinterklaas Eve

This Sinterklaas Eve shopping list covers the items you need for a gift-filled evening with soup, snacks, drinks, coffee, and a properly set table. Start with your final guest count, then match plates, glasses, chairs, and serving dishes to that number. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and leave time for chilling drinks, wrapping gifts, and labelling presents. A few practical items are easy to overlook, especially deep plates, serving utensils, thermos flasks, and somewhere to sort gifts by recipient.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 20
Side tablesqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 24
Deep platesqty 24
Bowlsqty 24
Glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 24
Knivesqty 24
Forksqty 24
Spoonsqty 24
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 3
Soup bowlsqty 3
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving trays with lidsqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Kettleqty 2
Coffee maker
Coolersqty 2
Bluetooth speaker

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 3
Buntingqty 5
LED light stringsqty 3
Gift basketsqty 3
Name card holdersqty 20

Cleaning

Dishpan
Reusable dish towelsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Tomato soup - 6 liters
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 750 gram
- Hummus - 5 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Mandarins - 2 kilograms
- Spiced biscuits - 2 kilogram
- Speculaas spices - 1 kilogram
- Chocolate letters - 22 pieces
- Large chocolate letters - 3 pieces
- Meringues - 3 bags
- Chocolate coins - 4 bags
- Speculaas - 4 packs
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Spa Blauw - 4 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Non-alcoholic wine - 3 bottles
- Wrapping paper - 6 rolls
- Gift ribbon - 4 rolls
- Gift tags - 30 pieces
- Packing tape - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan one place setting per guest, plus 10% extra plates, glasses, and cutlery for spills or late additions. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item.
Allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch several hours before guests arrive and keep the rest in coolers.
Buy enough soup for one generous bowl per guest, plus 10% extra. Deep plates, soup bowls, serving spoons, and a ladle or suitable serving utensil are easy to miss when checking the kitchen supplies.
Prepare gift labels, wrapping supplies, and separate gift baskets before shopping day. Keep at least one clearly labelled area free for wrapped presents so gifts do not get mixed up.
For coffee after the meal, plan one cup per guest and add 10% extra. Check that the coffee maker, kettle, cups, sugar, milk, and thermos flasks are ready before the evening starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for Sinterklaas Eve?: Plan one bowl of soup and a serving of snacks per guest, with 10% extra for seconds and unexpected guests. For 20 people, prepare about 22 portions of soup and snacks.
How many drinks should I buy for Sinterklaas Eve?: Use 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. For a three-hour evening with 20 guests, plan for roughly 80–100 drinks, including alcohol-free options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 20 guests?: Prepare 22 dinner plates, deep plates or bowls, glasses, coffee cups, knives, forks, and spoons. The extra two place settings cover breakages, spills, and last-minute additions.
When should I buy and chill drinks for Sinterklaas Eve?: Buy non-perishable drinks and gift supplies at least 2–3 days ahead. Chill the first drinks 4–6 hours before guests arrive, and use coolers for bottles that do not fit in the fridge.

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