What you need for a student Christmas market

Use this shopping list to prepare a student Christmas market with stalls, food, hot drinks and shared serving areas. Plan equipment by booth rather than buying one large pile of supplies: each stall may need its own table covering, shelf space, serving tools and power access. Check dietary requirements before buying fresh food, and chill drinks only after you know how much storage is available. Keep non-perishable stock separate from items that need refrigeration.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 6
Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 8
Tableclothsqty 24
Stall shelvesqty 24
Stall weightsqty 24

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 150
Platesqty 150
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Food warmersqty 4
Induction hobsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 8
Cash registersqty 4
Card machinesqty 4
Waiting money traysqty 12
Hand trucksqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 48

Decorations

Artificial Christmas treesqty 3
Christmas baublesqty 80
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Christmas figuresqty 10
Table décorqty 18
Price listsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Markersqty 12
Adhesive tapeqty 10
Cable tiesqty 100

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Vacuum cleaner
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea bags - 250 pieces
- Cocoa powder - 2 kilos
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Chocolate curls - 1 kilo
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 15 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Blackcurrant lemonade - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Wine - 12 bottles
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa sauce - 8 jars
- Mixed nuts - 5 kilo
- Popcorn - 4 kilo
- Pretzels - 6 kilos
- Mini sausages - 12 kilo
- Vegetarian mini sausages - 6 kilos
- Puff pastry - 10 packs
- Ground beef - 8 kilo
- Lentils - 5 kilo
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Celery - 2 kilo
- Diced tomatoes - 20 cans
- Vegetable bouillon - 3 packs
- Beef broth - 3 packs
- Herb mix - 1 kilo
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Salt - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Mini bread rolls - 250 pieces
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Slices of cheese - 5 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Christmas cookies - 12 packs
- Spiced biscuits - 10 packs
- Brownies - 150 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilo
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Marshmallows - 3 kilos
- Chocolate sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 800 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 300 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic gloves - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning product - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls

Tips

Buy or borrow one table covering for every stall, plus spare cloths for the food and drink points. Fresh spills are common, and one missing covering can make a stall look unfinished.
Allow 2–3 reusable cups per visitor if cups are collected and washed during the market; for coffee, keep at least 1.5 cups per expected serving so queues do not stop when cups are being cleaned.
Match electrical equipment to the available outlets before shopping. Count every coffee machine, kettle, warmer and induction hob, then add enough extension cords and power strips without daisy-chaining them.
Prepare a separate hot-drinks station with thermos flasks, coffee cups, serving spoons and measuring cups. Do not rely on one kettle if several stalls will serve drinks at the same time.
Buy fresh produce as close to the market as practical—ideally within 24 hours—and keep it chilled until preparation. Stock foil, cutting boards, chef’s knives and kitchen tongs separately so food preparation does not depend on a stall’s serving equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a student Christmas market?: Plan for 2–3 reusable cups per visitor when cups are washed and reused during the event. For coffee, buy or collect at least 1.5 cups per expected serving to cover breakage, queues and used cups waiting for cleaning.
How much food should I buy for the market?: Estimate portions from the number of registered visitors and stallholders, then add about 10% for volunteers and unexpected demand. Confirm dietary requirements before buying fresh produce, preferably no later than 48 hours before the market.
How many tables and chairs are needed per market stall?: Start with one market stall and one foldable table per seller, then add chairs only where sellers need to sit. Check the final booth layout at least 3–5 days beforehand so extra tables, shelves or high tables can still be sourced.
When should I buy drinks and fresh food for a Christmas market?: Buy non-perishable drinks and serving supplies several days in advance, once registrations give you a reliable headcount. Purchase fresh produce within 24 hours of the market and chill drinks only after confirming cooler space.

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