What you need for a Sinterklaas parade

A Sinterklaas parade needs more than gifts and costumes. You also need practical supplies for the route, the reception area, hot drinks, food service, sound and crowd control. This shopping list covers the items that are easy to overlook, such as extension cords, waste bins, thermos bottles and clear route signs. Check quantities against your expected attendance, then add a small buffer for cups, plates and refreshments.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 24
Waste binsqty 8

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pitchersqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Hot drink urnsqty 6
Soup kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos bottlesqty 4

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphone

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 20
Pieten balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 4
Buntingqty 12
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 4
Sinterklaas mitresqty 6
Piet hatsqty 12
Pieten collarsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand sanitizerqty 6
Toilet paperqty 24
Paper towelsqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6
Rain ponchosqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Water - 40 liter
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Mulled wine - 12 liters
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Spiced cookies - 12 kilos
- Pepernoten - 8 kilos
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Cream puffs - 6 boxes
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Cheese cubes - 4 kilo
- Sliced sausage - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 200 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spreads - 12 tubs
- Egg - 60 pieces
- Soup - 20 liters
- Tomato soup - 10 liters
- Vegetable soup - 10 liters
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Green salad - 6 kilos
- Vinaigrette - 4 bottles
- Vegetarian snacks - 8 boxes
- Mini frikandellen - 8 boxes
- Bitterballen - 8 boxes
- Bitterballen sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 4 jars
- Napkins - 12 packs
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning product - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Toilet freshener - 4 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Diet-free cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 6 tubs

Tips

Plan at least 2 to 3 cups per visitor for a short reception, plus 10% extra. For hot drinks, provide separate coffee cups and pitchers so queues do not stop when one container is empty.
Use one table for serving and one separate table for registration, gifts or paperwork. For a busy reception, allow roughly 1 metre of table space for every 20 guests.
Bring one microphone stand and test every microphone, speaker, mixer, extension cord and power strip at least 2 hours before the parade starts. Keep spare extension cords away from walking routes.
Place route signs at every turn and at least 30 minutes before the first participants arrive. Traffic cones and crowd control barriers should be ready before volunteers take their positions.
Sort gifts by recipient before the parade and keep them in clearly labelled groups. Buy or prepare the gifts for Sinterklaas early enough to avoid last-minute shopping during the final week.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks and serving supplies do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour, then add about 10% extra. Bring separate cups for hot and cold drinks, plus pitchers, serving spoons, plates and cutlery if food is served.
How many tables and chairs do I need for a Sinterklaas parade reception?: Use one serving table for each 30 to 40 guests and provide one chair per seated guest. Add at least one extra table for gifts, registration or dietary requirements so the serving area does not become crowded.
When should I prepare the route signs and traffic equipment?: Design and print the route signs at least 1 week before the parade. Set out cones and barriers before volunteers arrive, ideally 60 to 90 minutes before the first participants reach the route.
What sound equipment is needed for a Sinterklaas parade?: Prepare speakers, a mixer, microphones, microphone stands, extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 2 hours in advance and keep one spare microphone or cable available if possible.

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