What you need for an 18th birthday party

An 18th birthday party needs more than cake, snacks, and drinks. This shopping list covers the items that keep the buffet moving, give guests somewhere to sit, and prevent last-minute trips for serving ware, cables, or lighting. Plan quantities from your guest count: one seat and place setting per guest, plus extra glasses and serving utensils. Check dietary requirements before you shop, and leave enough time to chill drinks, collect the cake, and prepare cold food.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Gift table
Coat rack

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 32
Drinking glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 24
Coffee Cupsqty 24
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4
Cake server

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 3
Chef's Knifeqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2
Storage containersqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 3
Bluetooth Speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power Stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonqty 100
Balloon archesqty 2
Bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6
Photo wall
Photo propsqty 12

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8
Broom and dustpan
Mop

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange soda - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Beer - 3 crates
- Non-alcoholic beer - 1 crate
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Apple juice - 3 cartons
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla Chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 6 bags
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Wraps - 5 packs
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
- Smoked ham - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Chicken salad - 4 tubs
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Cupcakes - 36 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 6 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll

Tips

Plan one plate, bowl, glass, and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages, dropped utensils, or guests returning for seconds. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour after that. Buy ice separately and chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive; a few ice trays will not cool a full stock of drinks.
A buffet needs more than one table: allow roughly 60 cm of serving space per hot or cold dish, and keep serving bowls, tongs, and a cake server at the table rather than in the kitchen. Check that the buffet table is set up before food arrives.
Prepare one waste point for every 10 to 15 guests, with extra bags ready underneath. Put the toilet supplies, coat rack, and waste points in place before the first guest arrives so you are not searching for them during the party.
For music and lighting, check the speaker, extension cables, and power strips the day before. Test the playlist at the actual volume, and use LED lanterns or light strings wherever guests may walk after dark.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an 18th birthday party?: For a party with a buffet, plan about 6 to 8 savoury pieces per guest for the first two hours, plus salads or other side dishes. Add one slice of cake per guest and 10% extra if the party runs longer than 3 hours.
How many drinks should I buy for an 18th birthday party?: Allow two to three drinks per guest in the first hour and one drink per hour afterward. For 20 guests over 4 hours, plan roughly 80 to 100 drinks in total, including non-alcoholic options and water.
When should I buy supplies for an 18th birthday party?: Buy decorations, serving ware, lighting, and non-perishable kitchen supplies 3 to 7 days ahead. Buy fresh food 1 to 2 days before, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before the party starts.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 20 guests?: Prepare at least 22 plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery sets for 20 guests. Have 25 to 30 drinking glasses available if guests will move between rooms or use different glasses for soft drinks and other drinks.

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