What to Buy for an Anniversary Dinner

An anniversary dinner needs more than the main meal. Plan the place settings, serving pieces, drinks, table details and finishing touches before you shop. For each guest, allow one dinner plate, appetizer plate, dessert plate, fork, knife, spoon, water glass and napkin. Add spare tableware for breakages and unexpected guests, then separate non-perishables from fresh groceries so the final shop stays manageable.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6
Table runnersqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Appetizer platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Dinner set forksqty 60
Dinner sets knivesqty 60
Dinner set spoonsqty 60
Teaspoonsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Carafesqty 8

Decorations

Napkin ringsqty 55
Name badgesqty 55
Menusqty 55
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Vasesqty 6
LED candlesqty 24
Candle holdersqty 12
Guest book
Ballpoint pensqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Cooking potsqty 4
Frying pansqty 3
Baking dishesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Coffee thermosesqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED table lampsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 14 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian stuffed peppers - 12 pieces
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Green beans - 6 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilo
- Zucchinis - 4 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Fresh herbs - 12 bunches
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Feta - 2 kilos
- Mixed cheeses - 4 kilos
- Grapes for cheese platter - 2 kilo
- Fig jam - 3 jars
- Crackers - 10 packs
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 55 people
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Fresh fruit - 4 kilo
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces

Tips

Count tableware by guest before ordering or collecting it, then add at least 10% extra. A dinner for 20 people therefore needs 22 dinner plates, 22 forks, 22 knives and 22 water glasses.
Plan drinks in two stages: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Include water in carafes and enough wine glasses, champagne glasses and coffee cups for the moments when they will be used.
Buy non-perishable items first, including menus, name badges, napkin rings, candles and serving pieces. Leave vegetables, herbs, dairy and other fresh groceries until one or two days before dinner.
Check that every dish has a way to reach the table. Match serving platters, trays with lids, serving tongs and serving spoons to the menu instead of discovering during setup that one shared dish has no utensil.
Order flowers, vases and rented tableware at least one to two weeks ahead when possible. Fresh food can wait, but replacements for missing plates, glasses or arrangements may not be available the day before.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary dinner?: Allow one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 dinner plates, forks, knives, spoons and water glasses, with additional plates for appetizers and dessert.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary dinner?: Plan two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Also provide water throughout the meal and count wine, champagne and coffee cups separately if they are served.
When should I buy groceries for an anniversary dinner?: Buy non-perishable items several days in advance. Purchase fresh vegetables, dairy, herbs and other chilled ingredients one or two days before the dinner, then chill drinks before guests arrive.
How many extra items should I add to an anniversary dinner shopping list?: Add at least 10% extra for everyday tableware and glasses. For 20 guests, that means planning for 22 place settings; add more only for fragile rentals, children or a guest list that may still change.

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