What you need for a 70th birthday party
A 70th birthday usually works best with a clear meal, comfortable seating and drinks that stay easy to serve throughout the afternoon or evening. This shopping list covers the practical items behind the plan, from dinner plates and cake servers to coffee equipment, cool boxes and table decorations. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and leave enough time to chill drinks, collect the cake and set out the buffet. The guest count determines how much crockery, seating and food you need.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 6
- Chairsqty 45
- Buffet tablesqty 2
- Coat rack
Tableware
- Dinner Platesqty 50
- Dessert platesqty 50
- Bowlsqty 30
- Water glassesqty 50
- Wine glassesqty 30
- Beer Glassesqty 30
- Coffee Cupsqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 50
- Serving Plattersqty 4
- Serving plattersqty 6
- Serving utensilsqty 6
- Cake Knife and Server
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Balloonqty 70
- Birthday banner
- Balloon pump
- Tealight Holdersqty 12
Equipment
- Bluetooth Speaker
- Extension Cordsqty 3
- Power Stripsqty 2
- Coolersqty 3
- Coffee machine
- Kettle
- Thermosesqty 3
- Drink Tubsqty 2
Kitchen
- Cutting Boardsqty 3
- Kitchen knivesqty 4
- Kitchen Tongsqty 3
Cleaning
- Broom
- Dustpan and Brush
- Mopqty 2
- Bucket
- Reusable cleaning clothsqty 10
Lighting
- String Lightsqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Mini Sandwich Buns - 50 pieces
- Baguettes - 4 pieces
- Butter - 2 packs
- Mild Cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Cooked Ham - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 750 grams
- Chicken Breast Topping - 750 grams
- Egg Salad - 3 containers
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Jam - 2 jars
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Savory Snacks - 3 bags
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese Cubes - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange soda - 3 bottles
- Bitter Lemon - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 cartons
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Pilsner - 3 crates
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red Wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Granulated Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Semi-Skimmed Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Ice Cubes - 8 kilograms
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 1 bottle
Tips
- Plan one complete dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each frequently used item.
- Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill non-alcoholic drinks separately so guests can find them quickly.
- Prepare two coffee cups per guest if coffee follows the meal, plus enough thermos capacity to serve the whole group without brewing continuously. Keep the kettle available for tea.
- Buy or prepare cake for one portion per guest and collect it on the day of the party. Put the cake knife and server with the dessert plates before guests arrive so they are not misplaced.
- Set up one buffet table for every 15 to 20 guests, depending on how many dishes you serve. Test the Bluetooth speaker, extension cords and power strips at least one day beforehand, not while guests are arriving.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a 70th birthday party?
- Plan one main meal portion per guest, plus 10% extra for unexpected guests or larger appetites. For nibbles before the meal, allow roughly 4 to 6 pieces per person per hour.
- How many drinks should I buy for a 70th birthday?
- Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options for every guest, and chill the drinks several hours before the party.
- How many plates and glasses do I need for 30 guests?
- Buy 33 dinner plates, 33 dessert plates, 33 water glasses and enough wine or beer glasses for the drinks you serve. The extra 10% covers breakage, dropped items and guests using a fresh glass.
- When should I buy the cake and decorations?
- Order the cake at least 7 to 14 days before the birthday, especially if it has a specific design or filling. Buy decorations and check the balloon pump, tablecloths and candle holders at least 3 days in advance.
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