What You Need for a 50th Birthday Party

A 50th birthday party needs more than food and a birthday cake. This shopping list covers the tableware, serving equipment, decorations and practical items needed for a buffet-style celebration. Plan your quantities around the number of guests, with extra plates, glasses and cutlery for second servings. Items such as ice, extension leads, coat storage and a dedicated gift table are easy to overlook, so arrange them before the first guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tableqty 2
Gift table
Clothes rack

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 60
Glassesqty 70
Coffee Cupsqty 55
Forksqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving Spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Balloonqty 100
Number 50 balloonsqty 2
Bannersqty 8
Confettiqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 4
Candlesqty 50
Gift bagqty 2
Photo wall

Equipment

Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 3
Power Stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 10
Serving plattersqty 6
Cutting Boardsqty 3
Cake Knife
Coffee machine
Kettlesqty 2

Lighting

String Lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Garbage bag holdersqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpan
Mop

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange soda - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blue - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Non-alcoholic beer - 1 crate
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 packs
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 kilos
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini rolls - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Brie - 600 grams
- Cream cheese - 600 grams
- Smoked ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 800 grams
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Party nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Salted breadsticks - 4 bags
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 1 bottle
- Cake - 1 large cake
- Petit fours - 50 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate - 4 bars
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Toasts - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 8 pieces
- Napkins - 120 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Skewers - 1 pack
- Food storage containers - 12 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one fork, one knife and one spoon per guest, plus 10–15% extra for replacements and second servings.
For drinks, prepare two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each following hour. Chill drinks in the cool boxes several hours before guests arrive.
Set aside enough glasses for both welcome drinks and the rest of the evening: around two glasses per guest works well if you are not washing up during the party.
Buy or gather the 50th birthday decorations at least one week ahead, including the number 50 balloons, banners, tablecloths, flowers and candles, so missing items can still be replaced.
Check practical equipment the day before: test the Bluetooth speaker, count extension cords and power strips, and prepare serving bowls, platters and chopping boards before food preparation starts.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a 50th birthday party?: Plan one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus 10–15% extra. Allow two glasses per guest if you want enough for welcome drinks and refills without washing up during the party.
How much food and drink should I buy for a 50th birthday?: For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. For buffet food, plan roughly 400–600 grams per adult in total, including savoury dishes, sides and dessert.
When should I buy the decorations for a 50th birthday party?: Buy the decorations at least one week before the party. Collect fresh flowers, the cake and other perishable items closer to the event, usually on the day before or on the day itself.
What do people often forget for a 50th birthday party?: Ice, extra glasses, serving spoons, coat storage and enough power access are common omissions. Check these at least one day beforehand, and chill drinks four to six hours before guests arrive.

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