Christmas celebration shopping list

Use this shopping list to prepare a Christmas celebration with a meal, drinks, music, gifts and a planned programme. Count tableware for every registered guest, then add a small reserve for breakages and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and arrange equipment such as food warmers, coffee machines and coolers before the final shopping trip. Drinks should be refrigerated as soon as they arrive, while desserts, decorations and gifts need separate preparation time.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Coat racksqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 75
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 75
Coffee spoonsqty 75
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Food warmersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 5
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Pansqty 5
Oven traysqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Kitchen brushesqty 3

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Phone chargersqty 3

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 60
Christmas garlandsqty 8
Table runnersqty 8
Christmas arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 75
Gift bagsqty 70
Gift ribbonqty 4
Poinsettiasqty 6

Lighting

LED light garlandsqty 8
LED candlesqty 30
Lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2
Rubber glovesqty 6
Laundry basketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken soup - 8 liters
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- White baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal baguettes - 8 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Beef roulade - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian roulade - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Green beans - 5 kilograms
- Red cabbage - 5 kilograms
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Meat gravy - 5 liters
- Vegetarian gravy - 2 liters
- Herb mix for roast roll - 6 bags
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Cranberry sauce - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 5 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Salad dressing - 2 liters
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Pears - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mandarins - 6 kilograms
- Christmas loaf - 8 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 6 packs
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Black tea - 120 bags
- Herbal tea - 80 bags
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Whipped cream for hot chocolate - 6 spray cans
- Lemon tea - 6 pieces
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Party nuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Cheese wedges - 3 kilograms
- Grapes for the snack platter - 2 kilograms
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Herb cheese - 1 kilogram
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Tea towels - 20 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus 5–10% extra. Include coffee cups, coffee spoons, water glasses and wine glasses if coffee and wine are on the programme.
Plan serving equipment separately from place settings: allow at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish, and check that the number of serving platters matches the buffet menu.
Buy or borrow food warmers, pans, oven trays and kettles before the event day. Test coffee machines and kettles at least 24 hours beforehand so you can replace missing leads or unsuitable equipment.
Keep drinks cold in coolers or refrigerators as soon as they arrive. For the first hour, allow roughly two to three drinks per person, then adjust the total for the length of the celebration and the menu.
Finish the food and non-food shopping in two stages: buy durable supplies and drinks several days ahead, then wash vegetables and prepare desserts close to serving time. Keep gifts, decorations and the printed run sheet together so they are not overlooked during setup.

Frequently asked questions

What tableware do I need for a Christmas celebration?: For each guest, plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, knife, fork and spoon. Add coffee cups, coffee spoons, water glasses and wine glasses when those drinks are being served, plus 5–10% extra for breakages or late arrivals.
How many drinks should I buy for a Christmas celebration?: For the first hour, allow about two to three drinks per person. Add more for a celebration lasting several hours, and include water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy food and drinks for a Christmas celebration?: Buy durable food, drinks and disposable or replacement supplies several days before the event. Refrigerate drinks immediately, and leave vegetables, desserts and other fresh preparations until the final one or two days.
How many serving utensils do I need for a Christmas buffet?: Plan at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every dish, with extra utensils for foods that need separate handling. Check the menu before shopping so you also have enough serving platters, food warmers and water jugs.

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