What to buy for a Christmas dinner

A Christmas dinner needs more than the menu: you also need enough plates, glasses, serving dishes, drinks and table supplies for every guest. Buy one complete place setting per person, then add a small buffer for breakages and seconds. Separate items that can be bought early from fresh ingredients and chilled drinks. Check dietary requirements before ordering food, not after the groceries arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 48
Buffet tableqty 2
Reception desk

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 50
Deep platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 55
Forksqty 55
Spoonsqty 55
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Carafesqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkinsqty 60
Name badgesqty 50
Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 40
Christmas garlandsqty 6
Table decorationsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 2
Trash binsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Roast beef - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian nut roast - 3 kilogram
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Brussels sprouts - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Red cabbage - 4 kilogram
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Leeks - 1,5 kilogram
- Lamb's lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Pears - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Milk - 6 liters
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Puff pastry - 6 rolls
- Sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Beef broth - 4 liters
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Cranberry sauce - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Rosemary - 6 bunches
- Thyme - 6 bunches
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Christmas stollen - 4 pieces
- Chocolate mousse - 50 portions
- Christmas cookies - 6 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 2 jars
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine for dinner - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one deep plate, one dessert plate, one knife, one fork, one spoon, one water glass and one wine glass per guest. Add 10% extra tableware if the guest count is uncertain or washing up during dinner is not practical.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then roughly one drink per hour. Chill drinks at least 4 hours ahead and use coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold everything.
Buy non-perishable groceries 5 to 7 days before dinner, but purchase fresh vegetables, dairy and other chilled ingredients 1 to 2 days beforehand. Check the delivery as soon as it arrives so missing items can still be replaced.
Provide at least one serving spoon for each shared dish and enough serving platters for the menu. Set aside separate cutting boards and utensils for vegetarian or allergy-sensitive food to reduce mix-ups.
Do not leave coffee, tea and dessert supplies until the end of the shopping trip. Count one coffee cup and teaspoon per guest, and prepare sauces and desserts early enough to free kitchen space before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas dinner?: Plan one dinner plate, deep plate and dessert plate per guest, plus one water glass and one wine glass. Add 10% extra when possible, so a dinner for 20 people needs at least 22 of each frequently used item.
How much food and drink should I buy for Christmas dinner?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and add about 10% for portions and unexpected guests. For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour and one per hour after that; buy fresh food 1 to 2 days before the dinner.
When should I buy groceries for Christmas dinner?: Buy non-perishable groceries 5 to 7 days ahead. Buy fresh vegetables, dairy and other chilled ingredients 1 to 2 days ahead, then check any delivery immediately rather than on the day itself.
What serving equipment is needed for a Christmas dinner?: Prepare at least one serving spoon per shared dish, along with enough serving platters and carafes for the table or buffet. If food will be held warm, arrange food warmers before guests arrive and test them at least 1 hour beforehand.

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