Anniversary party shopping list

Planning an anniversary party means more than buying food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for the meal, cake and coffee, plus separate glasses for water, wine and champagne. Decorations, name badges, serving utensils and a gift table are easy to overlook until guests arrive. Use this list to check what must be bought, borrowed or collected, then match quantities to your guest count and serving style.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Gift table
Coat racksqty 2
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 70
Forksqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Serving tongsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkinsqty 100
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 8
Confettiqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Vasesqty 6
Number decorations
Name badgesqty 60
Menusqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 15
Table numbersqty 8
Guest book

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphoneqty 2
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2
Camera

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Hot traysqty 4
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cake serverqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Lanternsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 60 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 600 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 800 grams
- Aged cheese - 800 grams
- Back ham - 800 grams
- Smoked chicken breast - 800 grams
- Smoked salmon - 600 grams
- Hummus - 800 grams
- Egg salad - 600 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 400 grams
- Red onion - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 2 heads
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 1 kilo
- Snack mix - 1 kilo
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Peanut sauce - 2 jars
- Mini meatballs - 3 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Potato salad - 3 kilos
- Mixed salad - 3 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Cake - 1 piece for 60 people
- Mini pastries - 80 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Straws - 100 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Count place settings by guest, then add about 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means roughly 55 dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives and spoons.
Plan glasses by use rather than by guest alone: one water glass per person, plus wine and champagne glasses if both are served. Keep at least 10% extra available for breakages and replacements.
Buy or borrow serving equipment before the catering arrives. Serving tongs, buffet tables, tablecloths and napkins are often forgotten because they are not part of the food order.
Separate decorations by area: tables, entrance, photo backdrop and gift table. Prepare balloons, flowers, vases, number decorations and photo props at least one day before the party.
Check fresh food, cake and chilled drinks on the final shopping day. Drinks usually need several hours to chill, so move them into refrigerators or coolers before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary party?: Allow one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, prepare about 44 of each item; provide one water glass per guest and add wine or champagne glasses based on what you serve.
How much extra tableware should I buy for an anniversary party?: Plan for 10% extra tableware, or 15% if children, self-service food or limited washing-up capacity are involved. For 60 guests, that means preparing 66 to 69 place settings.
When should I buy decorations and party supplies?: Buy reusable supplies and decorations at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Check disposable tableware, napkins, balloons and name badges 3 to 5 days before the party, leaving fresh food and cake for the final 1 to 2 days.
How early should I chill drinks for an anniversary party?: Move bottled drinks into the refrigerator at least 6 hours before serving, or use ice-filled coolers 1 to 2 hours beforehand. Keep a separate reserve so the serving area can be restocked without running out.

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