What to buy for an anniversary benefit

An anniversary benefit needs more than food and drinks. You will also need a clear registration setup, donation materials, auction support and enough tableware for the meal, dessert and coffee service. Use the guest list to calculate quantities, then add a small reserve for breakage, late arrivals and extra servings. Buy fresh produce close to the event, chill drinks in advance and keep auction and donation items separate from the catering supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Rectangular tablesqty 10
Cocktail tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 3
Registration desk
Presentation table
Coat racksqty 2
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dinner cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Water carafesqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 14
Napkinsqty 120
Table runnersqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Flower arrangementsqty 10
String lightsqty 6
Photo backdrop
Photo wall stand
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 10
Candle holdersqty 20
LED candlesqty 30
Anniversary letters
Table décorqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 4
Chalk markersqty 8
Cable ties
Tapeqty 4
Scissorsqty 4

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12
Musical instrumentsqty 3
Music standsqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving utensilsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Wraps - 30 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 6 bunches
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 4 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Cucumber salad - 2 kg
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 7 kilograms
- Salmon fillet - 5 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Vegetable burgers - 30 pieces
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Zucchini - 10 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Chicken stock - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Curry powder - 100 gram
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Apple pies - 6 pieces
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Fresh fruit - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Tea - 150 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Still water - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Cocktail mix - 6 bottles
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
Buffet warmersqty 6
Serving traysqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Wine openersqty 4
Ice spoonsqty 4
Pitchersqty 12
Ice packsqty 20
Corkscrewqty 4

Registration

Name badgesqty 100
Pensqty 20
Guest list holdersqty 2
Donation boxesqty 3
Payment terminalqty 2
Cash float

Auction

Auction numbersqty 100
Auction hammer
Auction board
Bid formsqty 100
Clipboardsqty 20
Storage cratesqty 10
Gift bagsqty 50

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 8
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 2

Safety

Flashlightsqty 3
Cable matsqty 6

Tips

Plan tableware for every confirmed guest plus 10% extra: dinner and dessert plates, cutlery, water and wine glasses, coffee cups and spoons. This covers unexpected guests and items that need replacing.
Keep registration supplies together at the entrance, including the desk, name badges, welcome sign and printed run sheet. Prepare them at least 24 hours before guests arrive so registration does not depend on last-minute printing.
For a seated meal, match rectangular tables, chairs, tablecloths, napkins and table numbers to the final layout. Keep at least one spare tablecloth and a separate set of serving platters and spoons for the buffet.
Set aside a dedicated table for donations and auction items. Place donation cards, the payment method and the final auction list there, and check all auction items at least one day before the benefit.
Chill drinks several hours before doors open and prepare water carafes for each dining area. Buy fresh produce no earlier than 1–2 days before the event, while shelf-stable drinks and decorations can be handled earlier.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an anniversary benefit?: Start with food and drinks, then cover tableware, serving platters, coffee service, table linens, decorations and registration materials. Add donation cards and supplies for the auction, and buy 10% extra tableware for a practical buffer.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one dinner cutlery set, one water glass and one wine glass per guest, plus 10% extra. Coffee cups and spoons should also cover every guest if coffee is served after the meal.
When should I buy food and drinks for a benefit dinner?: Buy shelf-stable drinks and decorations several days ahead. Purchase fresh produce 1–2 days before the event, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
What do I need for registration at an anniversary benefit?: Set up a registration desk with the final guest list, name badges, a welcome sign and the printed run sheet. Have this station ready at least 30 minutes before the stated arrival time, with donation payment information available nearby.

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