Christmas Dinner Shopping List

A Christmas dinner needs more than the main ingredients. You also need enough plates, glasses, serving dishes, drinks and preparation space for everyone at the table. Start by confirming guest numbers and dietary requirements, then match your shopping to the menu and table layout. Buy non-perishable groceries and drinks early, while meat, fish, vegetables and dessert ingredients may need to be timed closer to the meal. Check your cupboards, refrigerator and tableware before you shop.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 3
Dining chairsqty 14

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 14
Deep platesqty 14
Dessert platesqty 14
Coffee cupsqty 14
Water glassesqty 16
Wine glassesqty 16
Champagne glassesqty 14
Knivesqty 16
Forksqty 16
Spoonsqty 16
Coffee spoonsqty 16

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 6
Soup pot
Dutch ovenqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Oven-safe dishesqty 4
Aluminum foil
Cling film

Equipment

Oven
Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 3
Napkinsqty 30
Christmas arrangementsqty 3
Christmas baublesqty 20
Name badgesqty 14
Menusqty 3

Lighting

Christmas light stringsqty 3
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Trash bag holder

Catering

Groceries
- Beef carpaccio - 1.2 kilograms
- Arugula - 300 gram
- Parmesan cheese - 250 grams
- Pine nuts - 150 grams
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Beef roulade - 2,5 kilograms
- Potatoes - 3 kg
- Winter carrots - 1.5 kilogram
- Parsnips - 1 kilogram
- Brussels sprouts - 1.5 kilograms
- Red cabbage - 1,5 kilogram
- Onions - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Fresh rosemary - 2 bunches
- Fresh thyme - 2 bunches
- Fresh sage - 1 bunch
- Beef stock - 2 liters
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Cooking cream - 1 liter
- Milk - 2 liter
- Flour - 500 grams
- Eggs - 12 pieces
- Puff pastry - 2 packs
- Yeast - 1 sachet
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Powdered sugar - 250 grams
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Mascarpone - 750 grams
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Dark chocolate - 300 grams
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Speculaas spice mix - 1 jar
- Vanilla extract - 1 bottle
- Walnuts - 300 gram
- Cranberry compote - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Baguettes - 4 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 tubs
- Mixed nuts - 500 grams
- Olives - 2 jars
- Toast - 3 packs
- Brie - 500 grams
- Grapes - 1 kilogram
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Beer - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 6 bottles
- Cola - 2 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 2 cartons
- Orange juice - 2 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Honey - 1 jar
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Sugar cubes - 1 pack
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Kitchen paper - 3 rolls
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Microfiber cloths - 1 pack

Tips

Count every place setting before shopping: allow one dinner plate, deep plate, dessert plate, knife, fork, spoon, water glass and wine glass per guest, plus at least 2–3 spare settings.
Plan drinks by serving time. For the first hour, allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person, then about 1 drink per person per hour; add non-alcoholic options for every guest who is not drinking.
Buy shelf-stable groceries and drinks 5–7 days ahead, but schedule meat, fish and other short-life ingredients for 1–2 days before dinner. This reduces last-minute refrigerator pressure.
Check the menu against your kitchen equipment before shopping. A meal with soup, roast dishes, sauces and several side dishes may require a soup pot, Dutch oven, oven-safe dishes, serving platters and enough mixing bowls.
Clear refrigerator space at least 24 hours before shopping for fresh ingredients. Leave room for the main dish, prepared side dishes, dessert and chilled drinks instead of relying on coolers for everything.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for Christmas dinner per person?: For a three-course meal, plan about 150–200 g of meat or fish per adult, 200–250 g of vegetables and 150–200 g of potatoes or another starch. Add 10% extra when serving buffet-style or feeding a group with large appetites.
How many plates and glasses do I need for Christmas dinner?: Provide one place setting per guest, including dinner, deep and dessert plates, cutlery, a water glass and a wine glass where appropriate. Keep 2–3 complete spare settings, and add champagne glasses only if champagne is part of the menu.
When should I buy Christmas dinner ingredients?: Buy non-perishable food, drinks, foil and cling film 5–7 days ahead. Buy meat, fish and delicate vegetables 1–2 days before dinner, then check use-by dates and refrigerator space immediately.
How many drinks should I buy for Christmas dinner?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person, followed by about 1 drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic drinks, and buy extra if dinner lasts more than three hours or guests are staying afterward.

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