What to buy for an anniversary customer day

An anniversary customer day needs more than food and a few decorations. You will need a clear registration point, enough tableware for the full guest list, buffet serving pieces, name badge holders and materials for the anniversary setting. Plan quantities from your confirmed sign-ups, then add a small margin for late arrivals and replacements. Buy shelf-stable items first and leave fresh groceries, flowers and other perishable supplies until shortly before the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 4
Registration desk
High tablesqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 80
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 10
Carafesqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 14
Napkin holdersqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 4
Anniversary banner
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table decorationsqty 10
Photo backdrop
Photo wall accessoriesqty 20
Name badge holdersqty 70
Candlesqty 24
Buntingqty 8

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 2

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24
Standing lampsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 20
Storage binsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 3

Cleaning

Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Glovesqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange soda - 8 liters
- Tonic - 4 liters
- Ginger ale - 4 liters
- Spa Blauw - 36 liters
- Spa Rood - 18 liter
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Beer glasses - 80 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Salami - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cucumber - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Grilled vegetables - 4 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 100 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 50 pieces
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Barbecue sauce - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Chocolate cake - 2 cakes
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Vegan cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Fresh fruit for dessert - 3 kilo
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper table runners - 12 rolls
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Tea filters - 100 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Blue trash bags - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper hand towels - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Diet Labels - 30 pieces

Tips

Count tableware for every registered guest, then add 10% extra. Include dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives, spoons, coffee cups, coffee spoons and water glasses rather than relying on one shared set.
Plan the registration desk separately from the buffet. Set aside tables, chairs, name badge holders and any printed materials at least one day before guests arrive so check-in does not compete with catering setup.
For a buffet, match serving platters, serving tongs and carafes to the number of dishes and drinks. A useful starting point is one serving utensil per dish and one carafe for every 8–10 guests.
Order or buy decorations early enough to replace missing items. Check the anniversary banner, balloons and ribbon, tablecloths, flower arrangements, table decorations, candles, photo backdrop and photo wall accessories together rather than discovering gaps during setup.
Buy fresh groceries and flowers 1–2 days before the customer day, but purchase non-perishable items several days earlier. Keep a written count of what has arrived, especially wine glasses, coffee cups, napkin holders and waste bins.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an anniversary customer day?: Plan food and drinks, tableware, buffet serving items, decorations, registration supplies and waste bins. Base quantities on the confirmed guest list and add about 10% extra tableware for breakage, spills and unexpected guests.
How many plates and glasses do I need per customer?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one wine glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For coffee, provide one coffee cup and spoon per guest if coffee is served to everyone at the same time.
When should I buy fresh groceries for the event?: Buy fresh groceries 1–2 days before the customer day, depending on how quickly they spoil. Purchase non-perishable goods several days earlier and check the complete shopping list before placing the catering order.
What do I need at the registration desk?: Set up a registration desk with the guest list, name badge holders and prepared name badges. Have it ready at least 60 minutes before doors open, with enough badges for every registered guest plus 10 spare badges.

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