What to Buy for an Anniversary Picnic

An anniversary picnic needs more than food and a blanket. Plan supplies for serving, seating, shade, chilled drinks, a gift table and a simple way to handle changing weather. Your final guest count determines how many plates, glasses, chairs, blankets and portions you need. Buy shelf-stable goods first, then pick up fresh groceries and ice close to the event so food and drinks stay cold.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 2
Gift table

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable drinking glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Storage boxesqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 3

Equipment

Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Number decorationsqty 2
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Photo framesqty 8

Sports equipment

Wooden outdoor gamesqty 3
Frisbeesqty 3
Picnic ballsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- White baguettes - 8 pieces
- Brown baguette - 6 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Mini pistolets - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian spreads - 1 kg
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 6 bunches
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Feta - 1 kilo
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Corn - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Yogurt - 4 kilos
- Granola - 2 kilos
- Brownies - 60
- Mini muffins - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 kilo
- Rice crackers - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pestosalsa - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery for every guest, plus a small buffer of 5 to 10 extra place settings. Include coffee cups if coffee is part of the program.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in the coolers before guests arrive and keep spare ice packs available.
For food preparation, set aside separate cutting boards and knives for bread and other ingredients. Storage boxes help protect prepared food during transport and keep leftovers covered.
Match seating to the final guest count, then add blankets for guests who prefer the ground. Arrange tables so buffet traffic does not block the seating area or the gift table.
Do not leave weather supplies until the last day: confirm the bad-weather plan, check the tents and extension cords, and test the portable speaker and microphone at least one day before the picnic.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for an anniversary picnic?: Use the final guest count to plan food portions, then allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy fresh groceries shortly before the picnic and keep chilled items in coolers.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery sets should I buy?: Prepare one complete place setting per guest and add 5 to 10 extra settings for replacements or unexpected guests. If you are serving coffee, provide one coffee cup per expected coffee drinker.
When should I buy groceries for an anniversary picnic?: Buy non-perishable items several days ahead so you can check the full shopping list. Buy fresh groceries and ice one day before or on the morning of the picnic, depending on how long they will stay chilled.
What do I need for an outdoor anniversary picnic if it rains?: Have party tents or another covered area ready, and confirm the backup plan before the event day. Check tents, extension cords, power strips and lighting at least 24 hours in advance rather than discovering missing equipment during setup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.