What you need for an 80th birthday party

An 80th birthday usually combines a buffet, coffee and cake, drinks, and a comfortable place to sit and talk. This shopping list covers the practical items people often overlook, from enough cups and serving utensils to coat hangers, cool boxes and extension leads. Plan quantities around your confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills and unexpected visitors. Check dietary requirements before ordering the catering, cake and sandwiches.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tableqty 2
Clothes rack
Clothes Hangersqty 55

Tableware

Dinner Platesqty 60
Dessert Platesqty 60
Coffee Cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee Spoonsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting Boardsqty 3
Bread Knivesqty 2
Cake Knife
Thermosesqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Coffee Machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigerators
Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 3
Power Stripsqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 7
Balloonqty 80
Balloon arch
Bannersqty 6
Number Balloons 80
Flower arrangementsqty 5
Photo Framesqty 8
Gift Tablecloth

Lighting

String Lightsqty 3
LED Candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Trash Bagsqty 50
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 1.5 kg
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Soda - 5 bottles
- Iced Tea - 5 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 cartons
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Spa Blue - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Pilsner - 3 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 5 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Sparkling Wine - 4 bottles
- Ice Cubes - 10 kg
- Mini Quiches - 60 pieces
- Bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Cheese Soufflés - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian Snacks - 50 pieces
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Mixed Nuts - 2 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 g
- Young Cheese - 1.5 kg
- Brie - 800 g
- Ham - 1 kg
- Chicken Breast Topping - 1 kg
- Hummus - 1 kg
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kg
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Grapes - 3 kg
- Strawberries - 2 kg
- Apples - 3 kg
- Cake for 55 People - 1 piece
- Petit Fours - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 1 roll
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand Soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each following hour. Include water alongside wine, soft drinks and coffee so guests are not relying on alcoholic drinks.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one glass and one cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Cake plates and coffee cups are easy to forget when the buffet and coffee service are set up separately.
Collect dietary requirements before placing the catering order, ideally at least 10 days before the party. Keep suitable food clearly separated and provide separate serving spoons to avoid mix-ups.
Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive, not just when the tables are being set. Use refrigerators or cool boxes for overflow, and check that there are enough thermos flasks, coffee makers and kettles for the coffee period.
Prepare the entrance as carefully as the buffet: provide one coat hanger per guest where possible, add extra hangers for heavier coats, and check extension leads and power strips before connecting the speaker, coffee equipment and kettles.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an 80th birthday party?: For a buffet, allow about 500 to 700 grams of savoury food per adult, depending on whether a full meal is served. Add one to two portions of cake per guest, plus small snacks if the party lasts more than three hours.
How many drinks should I buy for an 80th birthday?: Start with two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one to two per person for every hour after that. For a four-hour party, that is roughly five to seven drinks per guest, including water, soft drinks, wine and coffee.
When should I order the birthday cake and catering?: Order the cake and catering at least 10 to 14 days in advance, and earlier if the guest count is large or dietary requirements are involved. Confirm the final number of guests and collection or delivery time a few days before the party.
How many plates and glasses do I need for an 80th birthday?: Provide one dinner plate, one cake plate, one drinking glass and one cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% extra. For 40 guests, prepare at least 44 of each basic item and allow additional coffee cups if coffee is served after the meal.

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.