What you need for a Christmas celebration

A Christmas celebration needs more than food and gifts. Plan the quantities and equipment for serving a meal, keeping dishes warm, preparing coffee, chilling drinks and welcoming guests with coats and name tags. Check your guest count before buying plates, glasses and cutlery, then add a small buffer for breakage and seconds. Fresh produce, baked items and chilled drinks should be bought or prepared close enough to the event that they are still at their best.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 55
Dinner cutleryqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Baking dishesqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 3
Bottle openersqty 3

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Wireless microphone
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 60
Christmas garlandsqty 8
Christmas wreathsqty 3
Table runnersqty 8
Christmas napkin holdersqty 8

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED candlesqty 30
Lanternsqty 6

Children's activities

Colored pencilsqty 10
Markersqty 10
Coloring pagesqty 60
Craft tablesqty 3
Children's apronsqty 12
Quiz cardsqty 60
Bingo cardsqty 60
Pensqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Turkey breast - 6 kilograms
- Vegetarian roast - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Sweet potatoes - 3 kilograms
- Brussels sprouts - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Red cabbage - 3 kilograms
- Parsnips - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Pears - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Cranberry compote - 6 jars
- Applesauce - 4 jars
- Gravy - 5 liters
- Vegetarian gravy - 2 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Unsalted butter - 1.5 kilograms
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Baking powder - 5 bags
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Sliced almonds - 400 grams
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 2 grinders
- Salt - 2 packs
- Fresh rosemary - 6 sprigs
- Fresh thyme - 6 sprigs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Rolls - 60 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 kilograms
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Christmas cookies - 8 packs
- Christmas loaf - 6 pieces
- Chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Whipped cream cans - 6 pieces
- Sugar cubes - 2 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Christmas spices - 3 bags
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Oranges - 3 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Count each place setting against your confirmed guest list: one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, drinking glass, wine glass, cup and cutlery set per person, plus roughly 10% extra.
Plan drink service separately from the meal. Allow at least two drinking glasses per guest if you are serving different drinks, and chill bottles before guests arrive; keep coolers available for refills.
For a buffet, match serving equipment to the menu: use one serving platter or bowl per dish, a serving spoon for each shared dish, and food warmers for hot items that will sit out.
Do not leave coffee service until the end. Set aside coffee machines, kettles, cups and enough hot-water capacity for a second round, and check that extension cords and power strips reach the serving area safely.
Check practical guest needs before shopping day: provide coat racks, enough chairs and tables, and label name tags or table numbers after dietary requirements and registrations have been checked.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas celebration?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, drinking glass, wine glass and cutlery set per guest, then add about 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each regularly used item.
How much food should I buy for a Christmas dinner?: Use your confirmed guest list and plan one main portion per person, plus around 10% extra for seconds. For 20 guests, prepare approximately 22 portions and check dietary requirements before placing a catering order.
When should I buy drinks for a Christmas celebration?: Buy shelf-stable drinks several days ahead and chill them at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Buy fresh produce as close to the event as practical, usually 1–2 days beforehand.
What equipment do I need for a Christmas buffet?: Plan one serving platter or bowl and one serving spoon per shared dish, plus food warmers for hot food. Add cutting boards, a chef’s knife, mixing bowls, baking dishes, corkscrews and bottle openers according to the menu.

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