What to Buy for a Birthday House Party

A birthday house party needs more than snacks and a cake. Plan drinks for the first hour, enough plates and glasses for every guest, serving equipment for the buffet, and a separate coffee setup. This shopping list also covers the items people often remember too late: ice, extra seating, extension leads, waste points and safe lighting. Check the final guest count and dietary requirements before doing the main shop, then review every bag when you get home.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 25
Coat rack
Buffet table

Tableware

Platesqty 35
Bowlsqty 25
Drinking glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 20
Coffee Cupsqty 20
Cutlery setsqty 35
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonqty 50
Bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 4
Napkin holdersqty 4
Candlesqty 25
Birthday candles

Equipment

Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 2
Power Stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 2
Ice cube traysqty 3

Kitchen

Coffee machine
Kettle
Cutting Boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Cake server

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
Table lampsqty 2

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 20 pieces
- Baguette - 4 pieces
- Butter - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Brie - 600 grams
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Chicken breast cold cuts - 800 grams
- Ham - 600 grams
- Smoked salmon - 400 grams
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Strawberries - 1 kilo
- Cherry Tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla Chips - 3 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Salted breadsticks - 3 bags
- Mini wraps - 4 packs
- Mini Quiches - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 30 pieces
- Vegan snacks - 20 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 1 bottle
- Birthday cakes - 2 pieces
- Whipped cream - 3 cans
- Chocolate - 4 bars
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange soda - 3 bottles
- Bitter Lemon - 2 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Fruit juice - 5 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Cocktail ice - 5 kilos
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Limes - 8 pieces
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Baking paper - 1 roll
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add roughly one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy extra non-alcoholic options rather than assuming everyone will drink alcohol.
Count plates, bowls, glasses, wine glasses, cups and cutlery against the final guest list, then add at least 10 percent extra. Spares prevent a shortage when items are left in different rooms or used for second servings.
Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive and make enough ice for serving and cooling. Fill coolers before the party starts; relying on a single refrigerator is a common last-minute problem.
For a buffet, allow one serving dish and one pair of serving tongs for each separate dish. Keep the cake cold until close to serving time and check that the cake server and candles are ready before guests arrive.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, lights, extension cords and power strips at least one day ahead. Keep cables away from walkways, and prepare a coffee and water station so it does not compete with the main buffet.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a birthday house party?: For a two- to three-hour party, plan about 6 to 8 small savoury pieces per guest, plus cake. Add 10 to 15 percent extra if the party overlaps a normal mealtime or if there is no substantial main dish.
How many drinks should I buy for a house party?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one per person for every hour after that. Include water and other non-alcoholic drinks for the whole guest count, not just for guests who request them in advance.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a birthday party?: Provide one plate, bowl, drinking glass and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10 percent spare. If you are serving wine and coffee, count one wine glass and one coffee cup per guest as well.
When should I buy ice and chill the drinks?: Buy or freeze the ice on the day of the party and start chilling drinks at least four hours before guests arrive. Fill the coolers shortly before arrival so the ice lasts through the first part of the event.

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