What to Buy for a Christening Party
A christening party needs more than food and a cake. Plan the tableware, serving equipment, drinks, decorations and practical items guests will use throughout the day. For a seated meal, allow one dinner plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus extras for cake and coffee. Check what the venue already provides before buying anything, especially tables, chairs, coffee equipment and glassware. Non-perishable items can be bought several days ahead; chill drinks and check fresh food the day before.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 60
- High chairqty 2
- Gift table
- Buffet tableqty 2
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 70
- Pastry platesqty 70
- Coffee cupsqty 60
- Water glassesqty 70
- Wine glassesqty 60
- Forksqty 70
- Knivesqty 70
- Spoonsqty 70
- Coffee spoonsqty 60
Kitchen
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Bread knivesqty 2
- Cake knife
- Corkscrewsqty 2
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Bluetooth speaker
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 100
- Balloon arch
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Napkin holdersqty 8
- Flower arrangementsqty 6
- Welcome sign
- Table cardsqty 8
- Candlesqty 20
- Candle holdersqty 10
- Guest book
- Pensqty 4
- Photo framesqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- White bake-at-home rolls - 8 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 6 loaves
- Mini croissants - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 750 gram
- Jam - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Chicken wings - 5 kilogram
- Mini meatballs - 4 kilogram
- Vegetarian snacks - 3 kilogram
- Puff pastry snacks - 100 pieces
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Mixed salad - 5 kilogram
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Grape juice - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Baptism cake - 1 cake
- Cupcakes - 60 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Plastic storage containers - 20 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
Tips
- For each guest, allow one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one fork, one knife, one spoon and a water glass. Add at least 10% extra tableware for dropped or dirty items.
- Plan drinks by serving time: allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then roughly one drink per person per hour. Chill bottled drinks several hours before guests arrive and keep backup drinks in coolers.
- Do not leave cake service until the last minute. Check that you have a cake knife, pastry plates, coffee cups, coffee spoons and a serving platter before the cake arrives.
- Count the equipment needed for the venue, not just the food. Tables, chairs, a high chair, buffet table, extension cords and coffee equipment are easy to overlook when the ceremony and reception are planned separately.
- Buy decorations and table items together so the setup is consistent: tablecloths, napkin holders, balloons and any balloon arch should be checked and sorted at least one day before the party.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need to buy for a christening party?
- Plan food and drinks, dinner and cake tableware, serving platters and utensils, coffee equipment, decorations, and practical items such as coolers and extension cords. Also check whether tables, chairs, a high chair and a gift table are already available at the venue.
- How much tableware do I need for a christening party?
- For each guest, plan one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one fork, one knife, one spoon and one water glass. Buy or hire about 10% extra, so a party for 30 guests needs roughly 33 of each frequently used item.
- How many drinks should I buy for a christening party?
- Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. For 30 guests over three hours, that is approximately 120 to 150 drinks, adjusted for children, non-drinkers and the type of meal.
- When should I shop for a christening party?
- Buy non-perishable groceries, tableware and decorations 3 to 7 days beforehand. Chill drinks the day before, and do the final check for fresh food, cake supplies and missing equipment within 24 hours of the party.
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