What to Buy for an Anniversary Party

An anniversary party needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for the meal and dessert, serving pieces for the buffet, coffee supplies, decorations and equipment for speeches or music. Plan quantities around your confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected guests. The items below cover the practical shopping and setup needs that are easy to overlook until the venue is already opening.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Party buntingqty 8
Anniversary bannersqty 3
Tableclothsqty 11
Centerpiecesqty 11

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Coffee machinesqty 2
Hot water jugsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 1 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed salads - 4 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 1 jar
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Barbecue sauce - 500 milliliters
- Salt - 250 grams
- Pepper - 100 gram
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Salted sticks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Cake - 2 large cakes
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Plastic food containers - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces

Tips

Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one fork, one knife and one spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each item.
Plan two to three drinking glasses per person for the first hour, especially if guests will move between a reception and the buffet. Keep coolers ready before guests arrive.
Buy or bring serving platters and serving spoons for every buffet dish, not just every table. Label dishes with allergens before the food is put out.
For coffee and tea, prepare at least one cup per expected coffee drinker and provide extra hot water capacity for refills. Coffee machines and hot water jugs are often forgotten until after the meal.
Check power strips and extension cords before transporting speakers, a microphone and string lights. Test the sound and lighting at the venue at least 60 minutes before the first guest arrives.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary party?: Use one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, then add 10% extra. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 of each item so breakages or replacements do not interrupt service.
How many glasses should I buy for an anniversary party?: Plan on two to three drinking glasses per guest for the first hour, depending on how often you can collect and wash them. For 40 guests, 80 to 120 glasses gives you a practical starting range.
When should I chill drinks for an anniversary party?: Put drinks in coolers or refrigeration at least 4 hours before guests arrive; larger bottles may need longer. Keep a separate reserve so the main drinks area does not empty during the reception.
What should I bring for a buffet anniversary party?: Bring one serving platter and one serving spoon or utensil for each buffet dish, plus tablecloths and labels for allergens. Check the complete setup at least 60 minutes before arrival, including plates, cutlery and coffee equipment.

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