What to Buy for Christmas Drinks

For Christmas drinks, your shopping list needs to cover more than bottles and snacks. Plan drinks for the first hour, food for different dietary needs, and enough glasses, plates and serving utensils for the full guest count. Coffee, tea, water and ice are easy to overlook, especially when the event runs into the evening. Check what the venue already provides before buying furniture, kitchen equipment or decorations, then shop for perishables as close to the event as practical.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Coat racksqty 50

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 50
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 50
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 40
String lightsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 9
Christmas arrangementsqty 6

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 5

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 liters
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Mulled wine - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Christmas loaf - 4 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 60 pieces
- Stuffed eggs - 50 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Party nuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 6 jars
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Tea filters - 1 box
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow two to three alcoholic drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add alcohol-free options, water and soft drinks rather than assuming every guest drinks alcohol.
Buy snacks for around six to eight small portions per guest when Christmas drinks replace a meal. Include clearly labelled options for collected dietary requirements and keep serving platters and spoons separate where needed.
Plan one wine glass or suitable drink glass per guest, plus about 10% extra for breakage and replacements. For a 40-person event, that means at least 44 glasses rather than exactly 40.
Allow one coffee or tea cup per expected simultaneous user, not per total guest count. If 15 people may take coffee at once, prepare at least 15 cups and have the coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks ready before guests arrive.
Buy ice and chillers the day before, not during setup. Fill coolers before opening the venue, and check bottle openers, cutting boards, knives, waste bins and tablecloths before the shopping trip ends.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a Christmas drinks party?: Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by roughly one drink per person per hour. For a three-hour event with 20 guests, that is about 80 to 100 drinks in total, including alcohol-free choices and water.
How much food should I buy for Christmas drinks?: When snacks are not a full meal, allow six to eight small portions per guest. For 30 guests, prepare about 180 to 240 portions and add clearly labelled alternatives for the dietary requirements you collected.
How many glasses and plates do I need for Christmas drinks?: Start with one glass per guest and add 10% extra for breakage or simultaneous use. For 50 guests, buy or provide at least 55 glasses, plus roughly one plate per guest if snacks are served from a buffet.
When should I buy food and drinks for Christmas drinks?: Buy non-perishable drinks, tableware and decorations two to seven days before the event. Purchase fresh snacks one day ahead where possible, and chill drinks and fill the coolers before the venue opens.

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