What to Buy for a 25th Anniversary Celebration

A 25th anniversary celebration needs more than a cake and a few bottles of wine. Plan the shopping around your guest count, the length of the gathering and whether food is served as a buffet. You will need tableware for each course, extra glasses for water and wine, chilled drinks, serving equipment and decorations for the photo area. Buy disposable essentials, ice and dietary-friendly food before the final setup day, because these are easy to overlook when the main catering order is already arranged.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Gift table
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving utensilsqty 12
Carafesqty 8

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch
Anniversary banner
Table runnersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Photo backdrop
Photo framesqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED candlesqty 20

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Projector
Projection screen

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Hot traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving plattersqty 10
Mixing bowlsqty 4

Cleaning

Broom
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- White baguettes - 8 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 600 grams
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 600 gram
- Goat cheese - 400 grams
- Back ham - 800 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 800 gram
- Salami - 600 gram
- Smoked salmon - 500 grams
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Pesto sauce - 500 grams
- Balsamic dressing - 500 milliliter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 3 liters
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 55 people
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Salted breadsticks - 3 bags
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces

Tips

Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one complete cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each rather than exactly 40.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Add water for the full event and chill drinks in coolers several hours before guests arrive.
Order or buy enough cake and desserts for every confirmed guest, then add four to six extra portions. Keep a separate knife, serving utensils and dessert plates ready so the cake service does not interrupt the buffet.
For a buffet, provide at least one serving utensil per dish and one large platter or bowl for each main item. Warm dishes need enough warmholding space to keep food at serving temperature while speeches or presentations take place.
Measure the photo backdrop, balloon arch and anniversary banner before buying decorations. Put aside at least 30 minutes for setup, and buy spare hooks, tape or ties because decorative items are often the last things attached and the first things that need fixing.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a 25th anniversary party?: For a buffet, plan about 500 to 700 grams of savoury food per adult, depending on whether dessert is served separately. Add 10% extra for confirmed guests and provide clearly labelled alternatives for dietary requirements.
How many drinks should I buy for a 25th anniversary?: Budget two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. For a four-hour event with 40 guests, that is roughly 200 to 280 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 40 guests?: Buy at least 44 dinner plates, 44 dessert plates and 44 cutlery sets for 40 guests. Plan 44 water glasses and 44 wine glasses as well, or more if you will not have time to wash items during the celebration.
When should I buy supplies for a 25th anniversary party?: Buy decorations, tableware, serving equipment and non-perishable drinks one to two weeks ahead. Shop for fresh produce one to two days before the event, and chill drinks and collect hired furniture or equipment on the day before whenever possible.

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