What to buy for an anniversary family day

An anniversary family day needs more than food and drinks. You will also need enough seating, serving ware, cooling space, coffee equipment and practical details for a mixed-age family group. Use the guest list to calculate quantities, then check dietary requirements before buying the menu. Order tents and rental items early if the celebration is outdoors, and leave fresh produce, 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

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Benchesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Parasolsqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 65
Drinking glassesqty 90
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 75
Serving plattersqty 15
Serving boardsqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Water carafesqty 8
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Party buntingqty 8
Balloon archesqty 2
Name badgesqty 70
Table signsqty 8
Photo framesqty 12
Vasesqty 8
Adhesive hooksqty 30

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot water urn
Hot traysqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Chef's knivesqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 3
Food containersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 5
Paper binsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpansqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Dish brushesqty 4
Draining racksqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8
LED candlesqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Volleyball
Badminton setsqty 3
Shuttlesqty 12
Frisbeesqty 4
Ring toss game
Marker conesqty 20
Skipping ropesqty 6
Board gamesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Pils - 4 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 6 pieces
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Rice - 4 kilos
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Ground beef - 3 kilos
- Salmon fillet - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilos
- Tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Olives - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Birthday cake - 2 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Milk chocolate - 2 kilo
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable cups - 100 pieces
- Disposable trays - 100 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Freezer bags - 1 box
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Plastic trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant gel - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl and one complete cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra for breakages or replacements. Add enough serving platters, boards, tongs and spoons so food does not have to be served from cooking dishes.
Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per hour afterwards. Provide water in carafes throughout the day, and use coolers to keep drinks cold if refrigerators are not close to the tables.
Buy seating for every registered guest, including children and older relatives who may need a chair rather than a bench. Count coat racks and table space as well; these are easy to overlook when the guest list grows after invitations go out.
Check the final dietary requirements before ordering catering or ingredients, ideally at least 7 days before the event. Label vegetarian and allergen-conscious dishes clearly and keep separate serving utensils available.
For an outdoor anniversary day, confirm party tents, tables, chairs, parasols and buffet furniture at least 2–4 weeks ahead. Buy adhesive hooks and table signs with the decorations so the programme, name badges and food labels can be put up without damaging surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary family day?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, drinking glass and cutlery set per guest, then add around 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each basic item.
How many drinks should I buy for a family anniversary party?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour and about 1 per person for each following hour. For a four-hour event with 40 guests, plan roughly 200–240 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic options.
When should I order party tents and rental furniture?: Reserve tents, tables, chairs and buffet furniture 2–4 weeks before the event. Confirm the quantities again after registrations close and the weather forecast is available.
When should I buy food for an anniversary family day?: Buy shelf-stable drinks, tableware and decorations several days or weeks ahead. Collect fresh produce and prepare desserts 1–2 days before the event, then chill drinks at least 12 hours before guests arrive.

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