What you need for a 30th birthday party

Use this shopping list to prepare a 30th birthday party without last-minute runs to the store. Plan quantities from the final guest count, then add a small buffer for disposable or shared items. The list covers tableware, serving equipment, decorations, lighting, cooling and kitchen tools. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and arrange borrowed tables, chairs or equipment at least a few days ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 40
Forksqty 50
Knivesqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving plattersqty 6
Serving utensilsqty 10

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Balloonqty 100
Birthday banner
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Balloon Pump
Cake topper

Lighting

String Lightsqty 3

Equipment

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

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Cake Knife
Cake stand
Bottle openersqty 2
Lighter

Cleaning

Bucketqty 2
Broom
Dustpan and Brush
Mopqty 2
Reusable clothsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange soda - 4 bottles
- Spa Blue - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 cartons
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla Chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Brie - 4 pieces
- Mild cheese - 2 kilos
- Butter - 4 packs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 60 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus wrap filling - 2 kilos
- Leaf lettuce - 6 heads
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Potato salad - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 3 kilos
- Green salad - 2 kilos
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Mini meatballs - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian balls - 1.5 kilos
- Cake - 1 piece
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Ice cream - 10 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill part of the supply in advance and keep extra drinks in coolers with ice.
Buy tableware for the confirmed guest count plus 10% spare. Count plates, bowls, forks, knives, spoons and drink glasses separately because guests often use more than one item.
Allow one serving dish or bowl for each separate food or snack, and provide serving utensils for every dish. Put dietary dishes on clearly marked platters before guests arrive.
Do not leave cooling and power supplies until the day itself: prepare coolers, ice trays, extension cables and power strips at least one day beforehand. Charge the Bluetooth speaker fully and test the cables before setting up.
Collect the cake on the day it is served and keep it refrigerated until needed. Check that the cake knife, cake stand and topper are ready before the cake arrives, rather than searching for them during the party.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a 30th birthday party?: For drinks, allow two to three per guest in the first hour and one per hour after that. For food, plan roughly 6 to 8 small bites per person when snacks are the main food, or 3 to 5 when a full meal is served. Add about 10% extra for uncertain attendance.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 30 guests?: For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 plates, bowls, forks, knives and spoons if guests can reuse items. Have 36 to 40 drink glasses available, especially if you are serving both soft drinks and wine.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a birthday party?: Buy non-perishable drinks and supplies 2 to 3 days ahead. Chill the first batch the day before and prepare coolers with ice on the day itself, so drinks are cold when guests arrive.
What do I need to serve and store a birthday cake?: Have a cake knife, cake stand or plateau, topper and a clear space in the refrigerator ready before collection. Pick up the cake on the day, keep it chilled until serving, and take it out about 20 to 30 minutes beforehand if the cake requires tempering.

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