What to Buy for a Bad Party

A bad party needs more than drinks and decorations. You will need enough tableware for the full guest count, separate serving equipment for snacks, reliable sound equipment and supplies for the competition and photo area. Buy or collect the items at least two days ahead, then chill drinks and check the equipment before guests arrive. This list helps you cover the items that are easy to overlook, especially cables, serving tools and spare glasses.

Use this plan

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Coat racksqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 50
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 10

Decorations

Balloon mixqty 200
Balloon archesqty 2
Wrong tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 12
Confetti cannonsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 30
Trophiesqty 3

Equipment

Wireless speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth music player
Coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Snack plattersqty 12
Ice spoonsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED spotlightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Beer - 120 cans
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 5 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Cheese and onion chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Cashews - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Wine gums - 4 bags
- Licorice - 3 bags
- Candy necklaces - 3 bags
- Bitterballen - 400 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 120 pieces
- Mini frikandels - 250 pieces
- Vegetarian mini snacks - 120 pieces
- Mini cheese soufflés - 150 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 150 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Liver sausage - 2 kilogram
- Dry sausage - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Deep-frying oil - 5 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Cocktail picks - 5 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill the first round in coolers before setup and keep a second batch ready.
Allow one reusable drinking glass and one plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add separate wine glasses only if wine is being served, because guests often use the same glass for different drinks.
Prepare one serving bowl, one serving spoon and one plate for each snack or dish. Keep two cutting boards and two kitchen knives available so food preparation does not stop when one set is being washed.
Test the wireless speakers, microphone and Bluetooth music player before guests arrive, then pack extension cords and power strips together. A 10-minute sound check can prevent a missing cable from disrupting the competition or playlist.
Buy competition prizes before the final shopping trip and keep them with the prize cups, photo props and backdrop. Put decorations into separate bags for the balloon area, tables and photo wall so setup takes less time.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a bad party?: Plan one reusable drinking glass per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage or misplaced glasses. If you serve wine, add one wine glass per guest who is likely to drink it.
How much food should I buy for a bad party?: For a two- to three-hour party, plan four to six snack portions per guest, spread across at least three types of food. Buy extra if snacks are the main food rather than a starter.
When should I buy drinks and ice for a bad party?: Buy drinks one to two days beforehand so you can check the quantities and chill them in time. Buy or collect ice on the day itself, ideally two to four hours before guests arrive.
What equipment should I test before the bad party?: Test the speakers, microphone, music player and all power connections at least 24 hours before the party. Pack one extension cord and one power strip more than you expect to need if several areas use electricity.

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.