What you need for an anniversary celebration

Use this shopping list to prepare an anniversary celebration without discovering missing supplies during setup. It covers the practical items behind the buffet, drinks station, speeches, presentation and table setting. Confirm your final guest count before buying disposable or rented tableware, then check dietary requirements before placing the catering order. Drinks should be chilled, desserts collected and serving equipment ready before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Bowlsqty 60
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving utensilsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 65

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Laptop
Projector
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 10

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 6
Spongesqty 8
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Filled wraps - 70 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Cucumber salad - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 80 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Pistolets - 70 pieces
- Herb cheese - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 65 people
- Petit fours - 70 pieces
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl and one cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakage, seconds or late additions. Add enough glasses for the drinks service rather than relying on guests to reuse one glass all evening.
Buy or borrow serving platters, serving utensils, cutting boards and kitchen knives before the food arrives. Catering often includes food but not the equipment needed to portion, display or cut it.
Chill drinks several hours before opening time and keep backup bottles in coolers. For the first hour, allow roughly two to three drinks per person, then adjust the total for the length of the celebration and the number of non-drinkers.
Prepare name badges for the confirmed guest list, with a few blank badges for last-minute changes. Keep them beside the entrance rather than packing them with the decorations.
Test the laptop, projector, speakers and microphones before guests arrive, using the actual presentation and speeches. Pack extension cords and check the microphone stand at least 60 minutes before the program starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary celebration?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item, with additional coffee cups if coffee is served later.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary party?: For the first hour, plan on two to three drinks per person. For a four-hour celebration, estimate around five to seven drinks per guest, then reduce the total if many guests do not drink alcohol and include water and other non-alcoholic options.
When should I chill drinks and collect the cake?: Put drinks in coolers or a refrigerator several hours before guests arrive so they are cold at serving time. Collect the cake and desserts on the day of the celebration, allowing enough time for transport, refrigeration and placement on serving platters.
What equipment should I test before the anniversary celebration?: Test the laptop, projector, speakers, microphones and microphone stand at least 60 minutes before the program begins. Connect the extension cords during the test and run the actual presentation or speeches rather than checking only that the power lights come on.

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