What you need for an adult birthday party

Planning an adult birthday starts with more than food and drinks. You also need enough plates, glasses, serving dishes, seating and equipment to keep the buffet moving and guests comfortable. Use your final guest count to check quantities, then allow extra time for chilling drinks, collecting the cake and preparing salads and snacks. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook until guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner Platesqty 36
Dessert platesqty 36
Glassesqty 48
Wine glassesqty 36
Coffee Cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving Spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 3
Chef's Knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Warming traysqty 3
Cake Knife
Cake spatula

Equipment

Coffee machine
Kettle
Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonqty 40
Bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 6
Vasesqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 4

Lighting

String Lightsqty 3
LED Lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Vacuum Cleaner
Mop
Bucketqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red Wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange soda - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 cartons
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 kilos
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini wraps - 5 packs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 600 grams
- Sliced ham - 800 grams
- Slices of cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 500 grams
- Olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilos
- Potato salad - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 2 kilos
- Quiches - 6 pieces
- Falafel - 1.5 kilos
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 1 kilo
- Bitterballen - 3 boxes
- Mini spring rolls - 3 boxes
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 1 bottle
- Birthday cake - 1 cake for 30 people
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Chocolate - 500 grams
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Baking paper - 1 roll
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Sponges - 4 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped items or second servings. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item.
Buy or prepare more drinks than you expect to serve at the table: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per hour after that. Chill part of the supply in advance and keep the rest in cool boxes.
Check serving equipment before shopping for food. A buffet for 20 guests may need several serving dishes, serving tongs and serving spoons, not just plates and bowls for eating.
Collect the cake no more than a few hours before serving unless the bakery gives different instructions. Keep a cake knife and server ready; these are commonly forgotten until the presentation starts.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, lighting and extension cords at least one day before the party. Set out tables, chairs, tablecloths and coat storage before guests arrive so the buffet area stays clear.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an adult birthday party?: For a meal-style buffet, plan roughly 500 to 700 grams of savoury food per adult, including salads and side dishes. Add 2 to 4 small snacks per person before the meal and one dessert portion per guest.
How many drinks should I buy for an adult birthday?: Allow two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, followed by one to two drinks per hour. For 20 guests over four hours, this works out to about 100 to 140 drinks in total, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 20 guests?: Start with 22 dinner plates, 22 dessert plates and 22 drinking glasses, using a 10% spare allowance. Add separate wine glasses and coffee cups if you are serving those drinks.
When should I do the shopping for an adult birthday party?: Buy non-perishable food, drinks and disposable or decorative supplies two to three days ahead. Buy fresh ingredients one day before, and chill drinks and collect the cake on the day itself according to the supplier's instructions.

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