What to buy for an anniversary friends day

For an anniversary friends day, shop for more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for the final guest count, serving pieces for the buffet, cooling space for drinks, and practical equipment for the garden or outdoor area. Plan the quantities after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. This checklist also covers the items people often remember only when setup has already started, such as extension cords, coffee equipment, lighting and cleaning supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Tableclothsqty 6
High tablesqty 3

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Soup ladlesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cake Knife and Cake Server

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 50
Buntingqty 4
Photo collage holdersqty 3

Sports equipment

Outdoor gamesqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 4 loaves
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 800 grams
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 800 grams
- Vegetarian spreads - 6 tubs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Mixed salad - 8 bags
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Crudités salad - 3 kilos
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Salsa - 5 jars
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Chocolate cake - 2 cakes
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper napkins - 5 packs
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one glass and one cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare pieces. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch before guests arrive and keep extra drinks in coolers.
Allow one serving platter or bowl and one pair of serving tongs for each buffet dish. Put cutting boards, sharp knives and ladles out before food preparation begins.
For an outdoor setup, check the number and position of extension cords before connecting string lights or LED lamps. Keep coffee machines and kettles away from wet ground and walkways.
Buy or collect cleaning supplies before setup: at least two buckets and one mop for a garden or house party with 20 guests. Set aside tablecloths, napkins and spare rubbish bags in one labelled box.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary friends day?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For 30 guests, prepare 33 dinner plates, 33 dessert plates and 33 glasses.
How much food and drink should I buy for an anniversary friends day?: For drinks, plan two to three per person during the first hour and one per person for every following hour. For food, calculate portions from the confirmed guest number and add about 10% for seconds and unexpected guests.
What should I buy for an outdoor anniversary friends day?: Check whether you need party tents, tables, chairs, tablecloths, coolers, lighting and extension cords. Make this check at least 3 days before the event so borrowed items can be collected and missing equipment can still be sourced.
When should I do the shopping for an anniversary friends day?: Buy non-perishable food, drinks, tableware and decorations 2 to 3 days ahead. Buy or collect fresh fruit, vegetables, salads and chilled items the day before, then chill drinks several hours before guests arrive.

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