Christmas party shopping list

Use this Christmas party shopping list to buy and bring everything needed for a smooth meal, buffet and drinks service. Plan quantities from your final guest list, including dietary meals and non-drinkers, rather than ordering for an estimate. The easy-to-miss items are usually serving equipment, coffee supplies, power extensions and enough glasses for guests who move between the buffet and tables. Check the list once before shopping and again when setting up.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Forksqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 3

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Laptop
Presentation screen

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 40
Christmas garlandsqty 8
Christmas wreathsqty 3
Table runnersqty 8
Christmas napkin holdersqty 8
Name badgesqty 60
Table cardsqty 12
Wrapping paperqty 2
Gift ribbonqty 4
Pen setqty 2
Quiz answer sheetsqty 60
Pensqty 60

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- 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 - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Spiced ginger nuts - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian meatballs - 100 pieces
- Christmas stollen - 4 pieces
- Petit fours - 60 pieces
- Chocolate truffles - 4 boxes
- Christmas cookies - 4 packs
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 20 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Tips

Count tableware against your final participant list: allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one fork, one knife and one spoon per guest, plus a small reserve of 5–10% for replacements.
For drinks, plan roughly 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Include water and extra glasses, especially if wine and soft drinks are served at separate stations.
Do not buy only food and beverages for the buffet. Check that you have serving platters, serving tongs, serving spoons, chopping boards and kitchen knives before catering arrives.
Keep coffee service separate from the meal count: provide coffee cups and teaspoons for every expected coffee drinker, and arrange enough thermos flasks or coffee machines for service after dinner.
Buy or borrow extension cords and power strips before the day itself. Test the coffee machines, Bluetooth speakers, microphone and decorative lighting together at least 24 hours before the party.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas party?: Start with one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, then add 5–10% spare pieces. For glasses, plan at least two per guest when serving water and wine, with extra water glasses for refills.
How much food and drink should I buy for a Christmas party?: Base food quantities on the final participant list and add about 5–10% if guests may take seconds. For drinks, allow 2–3 per person in the first hour and about 1 per person per hour afterward, while providing water throughout.
When should I buy drinks for a Christmas party?: Buy shelf-stable drinks and disposable supplies several days beforehand. Chill beverages the day before, and check the quantities again after dietary requirements and late registrations have been processed.
What do people forget to buy for a Christmas party buffet?: Serving platters, tongs, serving spoons, water jugs, coffee spoons and enough power extensions are often missed. Check these items at least 24 hours before setup, along with microphone and speaker connections.

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.