Christmas celebration shopping list

Use this shopping list to prepare a Christmas celebration with a meal, drinks, dessert, gifts and a short programme. Plan tableware for every guest, plus serving pieces for the buffet and extra cups for coffee. The list also covers practical kitchen equipment, cooling and warming gear, and the items needed for music, a quiz or presentations. Check quantities against your final guest list before shopping, then buy fresh produce and chill drinks close to the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 90
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dinner cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Baking dishesqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 3

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 8
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 5

Decorations

Artificial Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 80
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Table runnersqty 10
Christmas arrangementsqty 10
Name badgesqty 90
Menusqty 10

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED candlesqty 30

Catering

Dessert serving plattersqty 8
Drink dispensersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4
Coffee thermosesqty 6
Gift bagsqty 30
Groceries
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Mini sausage rolls - 100 pieces
- Christmas loaf - 6 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilos
- Christmas ham - 6 kilos
- Turkey breast - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian roast pieces - 4 kilos
- Potatoes - 15 kilo
- Sweet potatoes - 6 kilo
- Brussels sprouts - 8 kilos
- Red cabbage - 6 kilo
- Carrots - 6 kilos
- Parsnips - 4 kilo
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 4 kilos
- Cranberry sauce - 3 jars
- Gravy - 5 liters
- Vegetable broth - 3 liters
- Chicken stock - 3 liters
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Thyme - 100 grams
- Rosemary - 100 gram
- Cinnamon - 100 gram
- Nutmeg - 100 grams
- Bay leaf - 2 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Pears - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Walnuts - 2 kilos
- Almonds - 2 kilos
- Raisins - 1 kilo
- Christmas Cookies - 10 packs
- Chocolate - 3 kilos
- Whipped cream - 5 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Apple pie - 8 cakes
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 200 bags
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 36 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Mulled wine - 12 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Olives - 3 kg
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Tips

Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one coffee cup, one water glass and one cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages and replacements.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Chill the drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
For a buffet meal, allow one serving platter or bowl for each main dish, salad and dessert, and provide at least two serving spoons or tongs per course.
Buy gifts for children only after the final guest list is confirmed. Keep wrapped gifts together and bring them to the venue with the rest of the materials.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, microphone and speakers at least 1 day before the celebration. Bring extension cords and check that every device can reach a power outlet.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas celebration?: Allow one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass and cutlery set per guest. Add 10% extra, so a celebration for 30 people needs 33 of each frequently used item.
How much food and drink should I buy for Christmas dinner?: For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for each additional hour. For food, use your caterer’s portions or menu plan, then add about 10% if guests may take seconds.
When should I buy food for a Christmas celebration?: Buy shelf-stable food, drinks, gifts and disposable supplies 3 to 7 days ahead. Collect fresh produce 1 day before, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
What equipment do I need for a Christmas quiz or presentation?: Prepare a laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers and microphone if the room requires amplification. Test the complete setup at least 1 day before and bring extension cords as a backup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.