What to buy for an anniversary party

An anniversary party needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for dinner, dessert and coffee, plus serving equipment, chilled storage and reliable power for music. This shopping list helps you check what must be bought, borrowed or collected before the event. Plan quantities from your confirmed guest count, and add a small buffer for breakage, spills and second servings.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 8
Coat racksqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Drinking glassesqty 160
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee spoonsqty 90
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving plattersqty 8
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon archqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 10
LED string lightsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Name badgesqty 100
Table numbersqty 10
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bagsqty 100
Litter pickersqty 2
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Washing-up tubsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Pilsner - 8 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 4 kilo
- Dry sausage - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Corn - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pesto sauce - 8 jars
- Pasta sauce - 10 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Basil - 6 bunches
- Oregano - 2 pots
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Parmesan cheese - 2 kilos
- Mozzarella - 2 kilos
- Focaccia - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Hamburgers - 70 pieces
- Cheddar - 3 kilos
- Lettuce for burgers - 2 kilo
- Tomatoes for burgers - 3 kilos
- Pickled cucumber slices - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- French fries - 15 kilo
- Fry sauce - 4 bottles
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Brownies - 8 boxes
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Paper shopping bags - 30 pieces

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives and spoons against the confirmed guest list, then add 10% extra. Coffee cups and drinking glasses need a separate count because guests may use both during the same evening.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in the coolers before guests arrive and arrange pickup of chilled products as late as practical.
Buy or borrow serving platters, serving spoons and serving tongs before the food is prepared. A buffet can need several pieces at once, so do not rely on the cutlery already placed at the tables.
Allow one coffee cup and spoon per guest, plus enough coffee, hot water and milk or other accompaniments for the final part of the party. Check the coffee machines and kettles at least one day before the event.
Check power needs for the speakers, mixer, microphone and coffee equipment before shopping. Pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment, and test the microphone and stand before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary party?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% extra. Plan at least two drinking glasses per guest if drinks and water are served throughout the party; wine glasses are counted separately.
How much food and drink should I buy for an anniversary party?: Base food quantities on the confirmed guest count and the menu, with an extra 10% for second servings. For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for each additional hour.
When should I buy drinks and chilled food?: Buy shelf-stable groceries several days ahead and check them off before the event. Pick up chilled products and drinks on the day before or the day of the party, then fill the coolers before guests arrive.
What equipment do I need for music and announcements?: Prepare speakers, a mixer, a microphone and microphone stand, along with extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least one day before the party and bring backup cables if available.

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