What to Buy for an Anniversary Day

An anniversary day needs more than a cake and a few drinks. Plan for the full guest count, then match food, tableware and serving equipment to the way people will eat and drink. This list covers the items most often missed: enough glasses, coffee service, cake equipment, buffet supplies and practical venue essentials. Buy non-perishable supplies several days ahead, and chill drinks and collect the cake on the day itself.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Rectangular tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 70
Tableclothsqty 8
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Cake platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Coffee spoonsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 10
Soup ladlesqty 4
Carafesqty 8
Cake knifeqty 2
Cake standsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 120
Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 10
Confettiqty 6
LED candlesqty 24
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Name badgesqty 70
Table numbersqty 8
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 12
Decorative ribbonsqty 8

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Storage binsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lightsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 2
Eye-catchersqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4
Cleaning bucketqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea bags - 120 pieces
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 cans
- Lemon tea - 2 boxes
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free bubbly - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Oranges - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Egg salad - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 4 bags
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Tzatziki - 6 containers
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Pesto rosso - 3 jars
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Mozzarella - 2 kilograms
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Green salad - 5 kilograms
- Baguette herb butter - 12 packages
- Chicken skewers - 6 kilograms
- Vegetarian skewers - 3 kilograms
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 50 pieces
- Samosas - 60 pieces
- Birthday cake - 1 large cake
- Petit fours - 70 pieces
- Cream puffs - 80 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate cake - 3 pieces
- Vanilla cake - 3 pieces
- Diet bread - 2 loaves
- Vegan spread - 1 kilogram
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Gluten-free snacks - 30 pieces
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Shopping bags - 30 pieces
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Count tableware by guest, then add 10% spare: for 50 guests, prepare at least 55 dinner plates, forks, knives and water glasses. Add separate cake plates and coffee cups if dessert and coffee are served.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Include water in carafes and enough wine, champagne or other glasses for the drinks you are actually serving.
For a buffet, provide at least one serving platter or bowl for each main dish and one serving spoon or utensil per dish. Put the buffet tables in place before guests arrive so food does not end up on dining tables.
Buy or reserve cake plates, a cake knife and cake stands at least one week before the anniversary day. These are easy to overlook, especially when the cake is collected from a bakery on the event day.
Do the main shopping two to three days before the event, but leave chilled drinks and fresh items for the final 24 hours. Check coat racks, hangers, tablecloths and seating at the same time as the shopping list, not during room setup.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary day?: Plan one complete place setting per guest plus 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 dinner plates, forks, knives and water glasses, with extra cake plates and coffee cups if those are used.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary celebration?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. For 30 guests over three hours, plan roughly 120 to 150 drinks in total, including water and non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy supplies for an anniversary day?: Buy non-perishable items, decorations and tableware two to three days beforehand. Buy chilled and fresh items within 24 hours, and collect the cake on the day specified by the bakery.
What do people usually forget for an anniversary day?: Cake plates, a cake knife, coffee spoons, serving utensils, carafes and spare glasses are common omissions. Check these at least 48 hours before the event, then count them again while setting the tables.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.