What you need for an anniversary celebration

Use this anniversary celebration shopping list to cover the items guests notice when they are missing: enough tableware, chilled drinks, serving equipment and a working presentation setup. Plan quantities from your final guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected guests. The list also includes practical details such as name badges, a guest book, lighting and extension leads. Buy non-perishable items early, but leave cake, desserts and chilled drinks until close to the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Table decorationsqty 8
Name badgesqty 70
Guest book

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Projector
Projection screen
Laptop
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Baking rolls - 70 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Serrano ham - 750 grams
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Cake - 2 large cakes
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Ice cream - 6 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Count one complete place setting per guest, plus 5–10% extra: plates, dessert plates, cutlery and drinking glasses are the items most likely to run short. Add wine glasses and coffee cups according to your menu and guest count.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep a separate supply for speakers and organisers.
Buy decorations after confirming the room layout. Measure the tables before choosing tablecloths, and allow one balloon pump, enough table decorations for each dining table and at least two lighting options for darker corners.
Match serving supplies to the food: plan at least one serving platter and pair of serving tongs for each separate dish. Set aside extra platters for desserts so cake service does not compete with the main buffet.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, microphone and Bluetooth speaker together at the venue at least 24 hours beforehand. Pack extension cords and power strips, and bring spare batteries or charging cables where your equipment needs them.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary celebration?: Buy one plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and drinking glass per guest, then add 5–10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 42–44 of each everyday item if washing during the event is not planned.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary party?: Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. For a three-hour celebration with 40 guests, plan roughly 160–200 drinks, adjusting for non-drinkers and the menu.
When should I buy the anniversary celebration supplies?: Buy decorations, tableware, serving items and equipment 1–2 weeks before the event. Purchase or collect cake, desserts and other chilled food on the day, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before opening.
What do people often forget for an anniversary celebration?: Commonly missed items are name badges, a guest book, coat racks, enough coffee cups, serving tongs and power strips. Check these 2 days before the event, then test the presentation and music again when the venue opens.

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