What to buy for an anniversary celebration

This anniversary celebration shopping list covers the items people often remember too late: enough tableware, chilled drinks, serving equipment, food storage and coffee supplies. Plan quantities from your guest count, then add a small buffer for breakage, second servings and dietary needs. Check what the venue already provides before shopping, especially tables, chairs, refrigerators, coolers and sound equipment. Buy shelf-stable items first and leave fresh food, ice and chilled drinks until the final one or two days.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 100
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 90
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 100
Beer glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Table knivesqty 100
Table forksqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 16

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Food warmersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Audio cablesqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 16
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Photo framesqty 8
Jubilee garland
Name badgesqty 100
Table card holdersqty 16
Tapeqty 6
Ropeqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 4 kilo
- Rice - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Ciabatta - 8 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Ground beef - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Chives - 6 cups
- Cake - 4 large cakes
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Cookies - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, then add 10% extra. If soup is on the menu, provide one bowl per guest rather than relying on dinner plates.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Buy or borrow enough water glasses, wine glasses and beer glasses for the busiest serving period.
Keep at least one cooler or refrigerator section free for drinks and prepare ice packs in advance. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive instead of relying on ice added at the last minute.
Plan serving equipment separately from eating equipment: use roughly one serving spoon or utensil per dish and have extra serving platters and trays ready for refills. Food storage containers and aluminum foil are useful when leftovers need covering quickly.
For coffee, allow one cup per guest plus 10% spare, and prepare enough coffee for about one serving per person after the meal. Check the capacity of coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks before buying coffee and supplies.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for an anniversary celebration?: For a meal, plan about 500–700 g of food per adult across starters, main dishes, sides and dessert. Add 10% if guests are likely to take second servings, and confirm dietary requirements before finalizing quantities.
How many drinks do I need for an anniversary party?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Include water throughout the event and add around 10% extra for unexpected guests or longer conversations.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Buy or prepare one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and the relevant wine or beer glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For a 50-person celebration, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item.
When should I buy and chill drinks for an anniversary celebration?: Buy shelf-stable drinks several days ahead and chill the main supply at least 6–8 hours before guests arrive. Add ice packs or bagged ice on the day, and keep a separate cooler available for unopened reserve drinks.

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