What to Buy for a 50th Anniversary Party

A 50th anniversary celebration needs more than food and a cake. You will also need enough tableware for the meal and coffee, separate glasses for water, wine and beer, and serving equipment that can handle the guest count. Plan the bar, buffet and presentation setup together so you do not discover missing trays, extension cords or ice on the day. This checklist covers the practical items to buy, borrow or bring before guests arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 60
Table linenqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Beer glassesqty 50
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Serving traysqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 3

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Laptop
Monitor screen
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon weightsqty 6
Number balloons 50
Buntingqty 8
Table decorationsqty 8
Photo framesqty 10
Photo backdrop
Place cardsqty 60
Welcome sign

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Rolls - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Salami - 750 gram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Birthday cake - 1 cake for 50 people
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs

Tips

Count tableware against the final guest list, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 dinner plates, pastry plates and cutlery sets, rather than exactly 50.
Plan drinks by service, not just by guest. For 50 people, prepare at least 50 water glasses and enough wine and beer glasses for the number serving each at the same time; reusable glasses can be washed and reset between courses.
Keep buffet and bar equipment separate. Prepare serving spoons, trays, small bowls, cutting boards and knives for the food area, while coolers, ice cube trays and thermos flasks stay close to the drinks and coffee station.
Check the presentation setup at least 48 hours before the anniversary. Test the laptop, monitor screen, Bluetooth speakers, microphone and microphone stand together, including every extension cord and power strip.
Do the shopping after confirming catering quantities and dietary requirements. Leave chilled drinks until the final day where possible, and allow at least 2 hours before guests arrive to cool drinks, arrange the buffet and set out tableware.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a 50th anniversary party?: For 50 guests, plan on 55 dinner plates, 55 pastry plates and 55 cutlery sets to allow for breakage and replacements. Provide at least 50 water glasses, plus enough wine and beer glasses for the largest drinks service; add 10% if you cannot wash items during the event.
How early should I buy things for a 50th anniversary party?: Buy or borrow furniture, table linen, tableware and equipment at least 1 week before the celebration. Buy fresh food and chilled drinks closer to the event, then complete the final shopping after the guest count and catering quantities are confirmed.
What do I need for a 50th anniversary buffet and bar?: For the buffet, prepare buffet tables, serving trays, serving spoons, small bowls, cutting boards and knives. For the bar, arrange coolers, ice cube trays, water glasses, wine glasses, beer glasses and a separate area for coffee cups, spoons and thermos flasks.
What equipment is needed for a photo presentation at a 50th anniversary?: Prepare a laptop, monitor screen, Bluetooth speakers, microphone and microphone stand if someone will speak. Test the complete setup at least 48 hours beforehand and pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment so the presentation does not depend on last-minute borrowing.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.