What to buy for a campfire evening

A campfire evening needs more than firewood and drinks. This shopping list covers food and beverages, reusable tableware, seating, lighting, coffee supplies, waste collection and fire safety equipment. Plan quantities from your guest count, then add a small buffer for cups, snacks and hot drinks. Check dietary requirements before shopping, and confirm local fire rules and the weather before buying items that must stay outdoors.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Wooden benchesqty 6
Waste binsqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Gas fire extinguisherqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettle
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Campfire pokerqty 2
Wooden seating logsqty 12
Buntingqty 4
Chalkboardqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Hand broomsqty 2
Fire blanketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Dry firewood - 12 bags
- Kindling - 4 bags
- Wood wool fire starters - 2 boxes
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Hot chocolate - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Mild salsa - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Vegetarian bratwursts - 30 pieces
- Grilled sausages - 30 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Bamboo skewers - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilos
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 4 packs
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and chill them in coolers before guests arrive.
Buy about 150–200 grams of snacks per guest, including a separate vegetarian selection. Put serving trays, tongs and cutting boards out before people arrive so food does not stay in shopping bags.
Allow one reusable cup, plate and set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item; coffee cups should be counted separately from drinking cups.
Provide one seat per guest and add a few wooden seating logs or benches for flexibility. Hang string lights before dark, and keep rechargeable lamps, flashlights and spare batteries available for paths and tables.
Keep fire safety supplies beside the campfire, not in a storage area. Set out buckets and a suitable fire extinguisher before lighting the fire, and store firewood under cover so it stays dry.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a campfire evening?: Plan 150–200 grams of snacks per guest and two to three drinks per person for the first hour. For each later hour, allow one additional drink per person and add about 10% extra food for unexpected guests or larger appetites.
How many cups, plates and cutlery sets should I buy?: Provide one of each item per guest, plus 10% spare. For 30 guests, prepare 33 reusable cups, 33 plates and 33 sets of reusable cutlery; count coffee cups separately.
What lighting do I need for a campfire evening?: Use string lights for the main area and at least one rechargeable lamp or flashlight for each dark route, such as the path to the toilets. Keep spare batteries ready and install lighting before sunset.
When should I check the campfire supplies and fire rules?: Check local fire regulations and the campfire site at least one week before the event. Recheck the weather and confirm that firewood, buckets and the fire extinguisher are ready on the day itself, before guests arrive.

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