Anniversary party shopping list

This anniversary party shopping list covers the items that are easiest to underestimate: drinks, serving ware, cake equipment and practical setup supplies. Plan tableware for every guest, plus a small buffer for breakages and second servings. Drinks need space to chill, while salads, snacks and fresh produce should be bought close to the event. Check deliveries, collect the cake and test the sound equipment before guests arrive so shopping is not mixed with setup.

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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
High tablesqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 8
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 70
Beer glassesqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving utensilsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Cake plateqty 2
Cake serversqty 2
Carafesqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Party speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Measuring cupsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Paper towel holdersqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Anniversary banner
Table decorationsqty 10
Name badgesqty 70
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Tapeqty 4
Ropeqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Dishpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Bubbles - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilo
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Pesto sauce - 8 jars
- Feta cheese - 1 kilo
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Cake - 4 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 1 piece
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 20 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and water glass per guest, then add 10% extra. Include serving utensils separately; guests should not have to use their own cutlery for salads or hot dishes.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Buy ice or prepare enough cooler space at least one day ahead, because chilling drinks takes longer than expected.
Buy fresh produce and prepare salads as close to the party as practical, ideally on the same day. Keep ingredients that need refrigeration cold until serving rather than leaving them on the buffet.
Reserve cake equipment before pickup: a cake plate, cake servers and a knife if needed. Collect the cake in its transport box and allow at least 30 minutes before serving for safe placement and setup.
Check the music setup before shopping is finished: test the party speakers, wireless microphone, music player, extension cords and power strips together. Pack cutting boards, carafes and thermos flasks with the serving items so they are not forgotten at the venue.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for an anniversary party?: Plan food and drinks, dinner and dessert tableware, serving platters and utensils, cake equipment, coolers, and supplies for coffee and water. Add tables, chairs, table covers and sound equipment if the venue does not provide them.
How many glasses and plates do I need per guest?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one water glass per guest, plus the glasses needed for wine or beer. Add about 10% extra tableware; for 50 guests, that means roughly 55 of each frequently used item.
How much food and drink should I buy for an anniversary party?: Use the final guest list to calculate catering quantities, then plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person per hour after that. Buy fresh produce close to the event and keep chilled drinks cold before guests arrive.
When should I buy everything for an anniversary party?: Buy non-perishable supplies, tableware and decorations several days ahead. Buy fresh produce one day before or on the day, chill drinks at least 12 hours ahead, and collect the cake on the agreed pickup day with enough time for setup.

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