Christmas party shopping list

A Christmas party needs more than food and drinks. Plan tableware for every course, glasses for water and wine, serving pieces for the buffet, and practical items for setup and music. Decorations, name badges, gift labels and lighting are easy to overlook when shopping is left until the final days. Use the guest count and confirmed menu to work out quantities, then schedule a separate shop for fresh produce close to the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Dinner cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 50
Christmas garlandsqty 8
Christmas wreathsqty 3
Table decorationsqty 8
Name badge holdersqty 60
Name badgesqty 60
Gift tagsqty 60

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Laundry basketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cocoa powder - 2 cans
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 96 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 1,5 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 1,5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mixed raw vegetables - 5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Mixed lettuce - 8 heads
- Christmas loaf - 6 pieces
- Dessert cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Mini Christmas pastries - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Table runners - 8 pieces
- Disposable packaging - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfecting wipes - 3 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one complete dinnerware and cutlery set per guest, then add 5–10% extra for breakages, dropped items and unexpected guests. Include dessert plates and coffee cups if both are on the menu.
For a buffet, plan at least one serving utensil per dish and enough platters for the full menu. Check this before shopping rather than discovering that hot food has nowhere to go on the day.
Buy decorations and gift labels at least 1–2 weeks before the party. Christmas trees, garlands, table decorations and name badges are commonly left until the final shop, when replacement options may be limited.
Check glasses by drink type: water glasses for everyone, plus wine or champagne glasses for guests who will use them. Set aside 10% extra glasses if the party runs for several hours.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, microphone, extension cords and power strips 2–3 days beforehand. Confirm that the room has enough outlets and that cables will not cross guest walkways.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas party?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 5–10% extra. Add wine or champagne glasses according to the drinks you are serving, rather than assuming every guest needs every type.
When should I buy Christmas party decorations?: Buy reusable decorations, LED lights, candles, labels and name badges 1–2 weeks before the party. Leave fresh produce and other perishable ingredients until 1–2 days before the event.
How many serving utensils are needed for a Christmas buffet?: Allow at least one serving spoon, ladle or pair of tongs for each dish. Add 2–3 spare pieces for shared sauces, bread or dishes that need replacing during service.
When should I check the Christmas party shopping list?: Do a full list check 7 days before the party, after the menu and guest count are final. Repeat the check 1–2 days before shopping for fresh produce and confirm that all equipment has been tested.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.