What to buy for a birthday barbecue

A birthday barbecue needs more than meat and drinks. Use this shopping list to cover the cooking setup, chilled storage, serving ware, seating, decorations and evening lighting. Buy food and drinks only after you have confirmed the final guest count and collected dietary requirements. Check the weather before deciding whether you need a party tent, extra lighting or a different table arrangement.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tent
Foldable tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 30
Buffet table
Waste binsqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 30
Dessert platesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Drinking glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 25

Equipment

Gas barbecue
Gas cylinder
Portable refrigerator
Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Meat Tongsqty 3
Aluminum traysqty 10

Decorations

Balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 3
Scouring spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Pork satay - 30 pieces
- Chipolata sausages - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 8 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 36 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 24 pieces
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 2 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Herb cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 tin
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemon juice - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Peanut mix - 2 bags
- Olives - 2 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Watermelon - 2 pieces
- Birthday cake - 1 cake
- Vanilla ice cream - 3 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- White wine - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Ice cubes - 8 kilograms
- Barbecue firelighters - 1 box
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Degreaser - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 3 packs

Tips

Plan roughly two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add extra water and soft drinks if children or non-drinkers are attending.
Keep meat and salads chilled until serving. Put drinks in coolers or a portable refrigerator several hours before guests arrive, and chill the meat and salads separately from drinks when possible.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one drinking glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add wine glasses and coffee cups only if those drinks are on the menu.
Do not leave the cooking setup until guests arrive. Have the gas barbecue, gas cylinder, meat tongs, cutting boards, knives, serving platters and aluminum trays ready before lighting the barbecue.
Plan waste and power before decorating. Use waste bins near the food and drinks tables, and check that extension cords and power strips reach the string lights, LED lamps and speaker without crossing walkways.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a birthday barbecue?: Allow about 300 to 400 grams of total food per adult, including meat, salads, bread and side dishes. For children, plan roughly 150 to 250 grams. Add 10% extra if guests are staying for several hours or if there are few side dishes.
How many drinks should I buy for a birthday barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. For a four-hour barbecue, that means about five to six drinks per guest, including water and soft drinks.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Buy one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one drinking glass per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that is 22 of each basic item; add wine glasses and coffee cups only when needed.
When should I buy and chill barbecue food?: Buy perishable food no earlier than one day before the barbecue unless it is frozen or has a longer use-by date. Chill meat, salads and drinks for several hours before serving, and check the final guest count before doing the main shop.

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.