Christmas Celebration Shopping List

A Christmas celebration needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for dinner and dessert, serving utensils, coffee equipment, hot trays and coolers, plus practical items for coats and seating. Count every guest before shopping, then add a small reserve for breakages, seconds and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before placing the catering order, and keep separate labels and serving tools ready for special meals.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 14
Chairsqty 120
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes hangersqty 120
Table linenqty 18

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 120
Dessert platesqty 120
Soup bowlsqty 120
Drinking glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 120
Dinner knivesqty 120
Dinner forksqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 8
Soup ladlesqty 120
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Bowlsqty 16
Thermos flasksqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 4
Kettlesqty 4
Food warmersqty 8
Hot traysqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Ice bucketsqty 4
Kitchen timersqty 3

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Charging cablesqty 6

Decorations

Christmas treeqty 2
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 12
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Poinsettiasqty 10
Table decorationsqty 18
Name badgesqty 120
Santa hatsqty 120

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 12
LED candlesqty 40
Spotlightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning cart
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4
Waste binsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Milk - 12 liters
- Plant-based milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Spa Rood - 20 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 12 bottles
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 5 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilograms
- Peanuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Christmas cookies - 8 boxes
- Pepernoten - 6 kilogram
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Mini cream puffs - 200 pieces
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Mandarins - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Mixed lettuce - 8 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Carrots - 6 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 30 pieces
- Arugula - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 25 kilogram
- Beef stew - 18 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 15 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Vegan stew - 8 kilogram
- Gravy - 8 liters
- Mushroom sauce - 6 liters
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Nutmeg - 100 grams
- Rosemary - 100 gram
- Thyme - 100 grams
- Spice mix - 500 grams
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilograms
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Sliced cheese - 5 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian pâté - 2 kilogram
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Air freshener - 6 spray cans
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes

Tips

Count tableware by course: each guest needs a dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, knife and fork, then add at least 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each frequently used item.
Plan coffee service separately from dinner service. Allow one coffee cup and spoon per guest, and check that the coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks can handle the final hour of the programme.
Buy or hire serving equipment before the catering order is final. Buffet service needs serving spoons, tongs, ladles and trays, while hot food also needs food warmers or hot trays.
Keep cold and hot food storage on the shopping list. Count coolers for drinks and chilled dishes, and confirm that hot trays or warmers are available before fresh food is collected.
Do not leave dietary supplies until the event day. Label diet meals as soon as they arrive, and keep separate bowls, utensils or serving tools available to prevent mix-ups.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Christmas celebration buffet?: Plan buffet tables, table linen, dinner and dessert plates, soup bowls, glasses, cutlery, serving spoons, tongs, ladles and serving trays. Add food warmers or hot trays for hot dishes and coolers for chilled food and drinks.
How many plates and glasses do I need per Christmas party guest?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one soup bowl and one drinking glass per guest, then add about 10% spare. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 of each item that may be used during service.
How much coffee equipment do I need for a Christmas celebration?: Provide one coffee cup and spoon per guest, plus around 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 cups and spoons, and check the capacity of the coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks before the event.
When should I buy supplies for a Christmas celebration?: Order hire items and non-perishable supplies at least 2–3 weeks ahead, especially tables, chairs, table linen and serving equipment. Buy fresh produce close to the event, then check the delivery and label dietary meals immediately.

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