What you need for a Sinterklaas market

A Sinterklaas market needs more than stalls and gifts. You also need enough cups, plates, hot-drink equipment, cooling space, payment supplies and simple decorations to keep several stands running at once. Buy non-perishable items first, then chill drinks and dairy products on the day before or morning of the market. Check power access before bringing kettles, coffee machines, soup kettles or lights.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 8
Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Soup kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Payment terminalsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lightsqty 8

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 6
Pieten balloonsqty 50
Paper garlandsqty 10
Sinterklaas mailbox
Gift bagsqty 120
Name badgesqty 150
Information boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Milk - 8 liters
- Plant-based milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Whipping cream - 8 spray cans
- Mini marshmallows - 4 bags
- Speculaas cookies - 12 bags
- Chocolate spiced cookies - 8 bags
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Pepernoten mix - 6 bags
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Mini buns - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Butter spread - 3 tubs
- Soup - 12 liters
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 4 crates
- Mulled wine - 8 bottles
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Chocolate letters - 120 pieces
- Small gifts - 120 pieces
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Teaspoons - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow 2 to 3 drinks per visitor for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour after that. Add extra hot drinks if the market runs outdoors or in cold weather.
Plan at least 1 reusable cup, coffee cup, plate and cutlery set per expected visitor, plus a 10% reserve. Reusable items disappear quickly when several stalls serve at the same time.
Reserve cooling space before shopping for dairy products and drinks. Use coolers for overflow, and chill perishable items no later than the morning of the market.
Count power-hungry equipment together before setup. Kettles, coffee machines, soup kettles, lights and payment terminals may need separate outlets, extension cords and power strips.
Prepare change and payment equipment at least 1 day in advance. Test every payment terminal, label cash floats, and keep price lists, signage and gift-bag supplies together so they are not left at home.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a Sinterklaas market?: Plan 1 reusable cup and 1 coffee cup per visitor, plus a 10% reserve. For 100 visitors, that means at least 110 of each type if both hot and cold drinks are served.
How much food and drink should I buy for a Sinterklaas market?: For drinks, allow 2 to 3 per person during the first hour and about 1 per hour afterwards. For food, base quantities on registrations and add 10% for late arrivals and unexpected guests.
What should I buy for a Sinterklaas market coffee station?: You need coffee cups, thermos flasks or coffee machines, kettles, pouring jugs, serving spoons and enough coffee, tea, milk and sugar for the registered group. Set up and test the station at least 1 hour before opening.
When should I buy decorations and gift-bag supplies?: Buy flags, balloons, garlands and the Sinterklaas mailbox at least 1 week before the market. Fill and check gift bags 1 to 2 days beforehand, then keep them sorted by group or registration list.

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