What you need for a Christmas celebration

Use this Christmas celebration shopping list to prepare the food service, drinks station, tables and decorations without last-minute shopping. Plan quantities from your final guest list, including dietary requirements and children. As a starting point, allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one per hour, plus water throughout. Check tableware, serving equipment and power needs before the day, because replacements are harder to find once shops are closed.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Coat rack
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 60

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Bluetooth speaker

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 40
Christmas garlandsqty 6
Table runnersqty 8
Name badgesqty 60

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea assortment - 100 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Hot chocolate - 5 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Lemonade - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 bottles
- Mini Christmas stollen - 6 pieces
- Savory puff pastry snacks - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian meatballs - 3 kilograms
- Red cabbage - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Green beans - 4 kilograms
- Applesauce - 4 jars
- Gravy - 4 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Whipping cream - 8 spray cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Christmas cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Tips

Allow one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages, seconds and replacements. Count forks, knives and spoons separately rather than assuming one complete place setting.
For drinks, buy two to three servings per person for the first hour and one per person per additional hour. Add water pitchers and enough water glasses for every guest, then chill drinks several hours before people arrive.
Plan buffet quantities from the confirmed guest list and separate dietary portions before shopping. Include serving spoons, platters, cutting boards and knives; these are often forgotten until the first dish is ready to serve.
For coffee and tea, prepare at least one cup per guest if served after the meal, with extra coffee cups, teaspoons, milk, sugar and hot-water capacity. Fill thermos flasks only shortly before serving so drinks stay hot.
Check practical supplies 24 hours ahead: table runners, name badges, coat-rack space, extension cords and power strips. Test the coffee machines, kettles, food warmers and speaker before guests arrive, and keep cables away from walkways.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a Christmas celebration?: Base the menu on the confirmed guest list and calculate portions for the full meal, buffet seconds and dietary alternatives. Finish the menu and quantities at least 3 days before shopping so special ingredients can be sourced in time.
How many drinks do I need per person for Christmas?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Provide water throughout and chill non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks at least 4 hours before the celebration.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas party?: Buy one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Provide one water glass and one wine glass per guest, with additional glasses if people will not be seated throughout the meal.
What should I check the day before a Christmas celebration?: Check the final guest list, dietary requirements, reservations, shopping list and tableware 24 hours beforehand. Set up non-perishable supplies, test electrical equipment and reserve time on the day for chilling drinks and reheating buffet dishes.

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