Anniversary party shopping list

An anniversary party needs more than food and drinks. Plan tableware for the meal, dessert, coffee, and a toast, plus serving pieces, cooling space, and supplies for storing leftovers. Use your confirmed guest count as the starting point, then add roughly 10% extra plates, glasses, and cutlery. Check dietary requirements before buying catering and snacks, and chill drinks several hours before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Coat hangersqty 60

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner knivesqty 70
Dinner forksqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Dessert serving plattersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef brushesqty 2
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Cake knifeqty 2
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Laptops
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Photo framesqty 12
Candle holdersqty 8
LED candlesqty 24
Name badgesqty 60
Menusqty 12
Programsqty 60

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Standing lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsener - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini buns - 80 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Butter - 3 packs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 5 kilograms
- Chicken roulade - 6 kilogram
- Vegetarian quiche - 8 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian meatballs - 2 kilogram
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Dressing - 4 bottles
- Birthday cakes - 3 pieces
- Apple pies - 2 pieces
- Petit fours - 60 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Fruit for dessert - 4 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Food containers - 30 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand towels - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass, and set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% extra. For a party of 40, that means 44 of each frequently used item.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water and reserve enough fridge or cooler space to chill drinks before opening the venue.
Buy or prepare serving equipment before the food arrives: allow at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish, plus platters for the buffet and separate boards and knives for bread or cake.
For coffee, plan one cup and spoon per expected coffee drinker, with enough capacity to serve the final third of the guest list without a long wait. Check machines and kettles the day before.
Do not leave dessert and leftovers until the last shop. Have foil and food storage containers ready, and keep the cake knife, dessert platters, and a cool place for perishable food together.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary party?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, and cutlery set per guest. Add 10% extra, so 40 guests require about 44 of each regularly used item.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary party?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person for every additional hour. Add water and allow extra capacity if guests cannot easily buy more nearby.
When should I chill drinks for an anniversary party?: Move drinks into refrigerators or coolers at least 4 to 6 hours before guests arrive. Large bottles and several cases may need to be split between multiple coolers so everything is cold at serving time.
How much extra food and tableware should I buy?: Use the final guest count for catering and buy about 10% extra plates, glasses, and cutlery. Confirm dietary requirements at least 7 days before the party so special meals and suitable snacks can be included.

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