What to buy for a Christmas barbecue

A Christmas barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal-free cooking equipment. You’ll also need enough tableware, chilled drinks, serving dishes, lighting and warm, weatherproof arrangements for guests eating outdoors. Use your confirmed guest count to scale food and drink, then add a small buffer for popular dishes. Check dietary requirements before shopping, and give yourself at least one full day to prepare marinades, vegetables, desserts and cold drinks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tent
Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Dessert platesqty 36
Cutlery setsqty 36
Glassesqty 48
Coffee cupsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Christmas light stringsqty 4
Christmas wreathsqty 2
Table runnersqty 5
Christmas baublesqty 30
Christmas napkinsqty 40

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Aluminum foilqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Dishpanqty 2
Broomsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Lighting

Outdoor lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 12
Batteriesqty 16

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken thigh fillet - 3 kilograms
- Bacon slices - 2 kilograms
- Hamburgers - 36 pieces
- Chipolata sausages - 36 pieces
- Beef steaks - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 12 pieces
- Corn on the cob - 18 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Feta cheese - 800 grams
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Red wine vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Chili flakes - 1 jar
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Mandarins - 3 kilograms
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Marshmallows - 2 bags
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Mulled wine - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Charcoal - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Plan roughly 250–350 g of main barbecue food per adult, including meat and vegetarian options. Add 10% extra for a mixed group, because guests rarely choose portions evenly.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour after that. Chill the first batch at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep the rest in coolers.
Buy one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item to cover breakage and replacements.
Do not leave lighting, heating and extension cords until the event day. Test every light string, power strip and appliance 24 hours beforehand, especially if the barbecue is under a party tent.
Shop for fresh vegetables, sauces and desserts no later than the day before, and marinate meat for the time stated in the recipe. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food and use different cutting boards.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Christmas barbecue?: For adults, allow 250–350 g of barbecue food per person, including meat and vegetarian alternatives. Add around 10% extra when you are unsure about appetites or expect guests to stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a Christmas barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by roughly one per hour. For 20 guests staying three hours, that is about 80–100 drinks, adjusted for children, drivers and non-alcoholic preferences.
How many plates and glasses do I need?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and glass per guest, plus 10% spare. A barbecue for 20 people therefore needs at least 22 of each, with extra coffee cups if coffee and tea will be served later.
When should I do the shopping for a Christmas barbecue?: Buy drinks, disposable or durable tableware and decorations two to three days ahead. Shop for fresh produce, meat and desserts the day before, then chill drinks and prepare marinades before guests arrive.

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