What to Buy for an Anniversary Party

An anniversary party needs more than food and drinks. This shopping list covers the practical items guests and caterers use throughout the day, from buffet tables and tableware to name badges, decorations and waste bins. Work from your final guest list before buying: most serving items are needed per guest, while furniture and display items depend on the room layout. Check dietary requirements before placing food orders, and arrange fresh produce, drinks and ice close to the event rather than several days ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Buffet tablesqty 4
Beer tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
High tablesqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 80
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 80
Beer glassesqty 80
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner knivesqty 80
Dinner forksqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 12
Balloon archesqty 2
Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 8
Table decorationsqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Name badgesqty 80
Badge holdersqty 80
Menusqty 12
Welcome sign

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice spoonsqty 4
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Tealight holdersqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 5 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Roast beef - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken - 2 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Ground beef - 4 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Rice - 4 kilos
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Tomato sauce - 4 liters
- Pesto - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Chili sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 3 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Chocolate cake - 2 cakes
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Petit fours - 80 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Candy Mix - 3 kilos
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminium trays - 50 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Large trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs
- Toothpicks - 4 boxes
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates and water glasses for every confirmed guest, then add 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each regularly used item.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Buy or collect ice on the day, because it takes more space than expected and melts during transport.
Allow one coffee cup and spoon per coffee drinker, plus extra serving utensils for each buffet dish. Label serving tongs and spoons if guests have different dietary requirements.
Do not leave name badges, badge holders and printed menus until setup. Prepare them at least one day ahead, including a few blank badges for late changes.
Place waste bins where people actually eat and drink: one near the buffet, one by the drinks area and one near the exit is a practical starting point for 50 guests. Check that the venue allows these locations.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary party?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate and water glass per guest, then add 10% spare. For 50 guests, buy or hire at least 55 of each; add wine and beer glasses according to the drinks you are serving.
How much ice do I need for an anniversary party?: Allow roughly 1 to 2 kg of ice per 10 guests for chilling drinks, and more if ice is also served in glasses. Collect it on the event day, ideally within 2 to 4 hours before guests arrive.
When should I buy food and drinks for an anniversary party?: Order shelf-stable food and drinks about 1 to 2 weeks ahead, once the guest list is nearly final. Buy fresh produce and collect chilled drinks and ice on the day before or on the event day.
What do people forget to buy for an anniversary party?: Commonly missed items include serving tongs, serving spoons, coffee spoons, badge holders, clothes hangers and waste bins. Check these at least 3 days before setup so missing items can still be hired or bought.

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