What you need for a Christmas dinner

A Christmas dinner needs more than ingredients. Plan for the guest count, then cover the table, drinks, serving dishes, decorations and kitchen equipment before shopping. Buy food according to the confirmed menu and portions, and check dietary requirements before placing any catering order. Non-perishable ingredients and decorations can be prepared early; fresh vegetables, desserts and chilled drinks need closer timing.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Deep platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Dinner cutlery setsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Carafesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin ringsqty 55
Christmas arrangementsqty 6
Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 40
Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 60

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's/ kitchen knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Baking dishesqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Turkey breast - 8 kilograms
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Sweet potatoes - 5 kilogram
- Brussels sprouts - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Parsnips - 3 kilograms
- Red cabbage - 4 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Fresh herbs - 12 bunches
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Whipping cream - 4 liters
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Chicken broth - 8 liters
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Milk - 8 liters
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Cranberry sauce - 4 jars
- Gravy - 6 liters
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 kilograms
- Christmas stollen - 6 pieces
- Chocolate mousse - 60 servings
- Cheese platter cheese - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Honey - 2 jars
- Sugar cubes - 2 kilogram
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% extra: dinner plates, deep plates, dessert plates, cutlery, water glasses and wine glasses. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item where practical.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks at least 4 hours beforehand, using coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold everything.
Order or buy serving platters, serving spoons and other serving utensils before the menu is final. One serving utensil per dish prevents sauces, vegetables and main courses from sharing equipment.
Check dietary requirements before buying ingredients or confirming catering. Keep clearly labelled alternatives separate, and prepare enough for every registered guest rather than the initial invitation count.
Set aside extension cords and power strips before placing LED light strings or candles. Test all lighting and the Bluetooth speaker at least 1 day before dinner, and keep cables away from walkways.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas dinner?: Plan one dinner plate, deep plate, dessert plate, coffee cup, cutlery set, water glass and wine glass per guest, plus around 10% spare. For 20 guests, prepare 22 of each item where possible.
How much food should I buy for Christmas dinner?: Use the confirmed menu and recorded portions rather than one general rule, because a three-course meal needs different quantities from a buffet. Finalise portions after the guest list closes, ideally 5 to 7 days before shopping.
When should I buy drinks for Christmas dinner?: Buy non-perishable drinks 3 to 7 days ahead and chill them at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep extra water available in carafes, with roughly 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour as a planning baseline.
What do I need for a Christmas dinner table?: Prepare tables, chairs, tablecloths, napkin rings, dinnerware, cutlery, glasses, carafes, serving platters and utensils. Set the layout and check the quantity of every item at least 1 day before dinner, not when guests are arriving.

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