What to Buy for a Christmas Picnic

A Christmas picnic needs more than food and a blanket. Plan for warm soup, bread and toppings, fruit, snacks, hot drinks, cold drinks and clearly labelled dietary meals. You will also need enough serving equipment, seating, lighting and storage to keep food safe and guests comfortable outdoors. Use the guest list to calculate quantities, then check the forecast before buying ice, lighting or extra blankets.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Picnic blanketsqty 12
Folding benchesqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 40
Soup bowlsqty 40
Coffee mugsqty 40
Drinking glassesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 8
Soup spoonsqty 4
Serving traysqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Food tongsqty 4
Storage binsqty 12
Insulated dispensersqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Christmas garlandsqty 6
Christmas baublesqty 30
Table decorationsqty 6
Name badgesqty 40
Christmas quiz cardsqty 40
Pensqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 3
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 20 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 500 grams
- Vegetarian spread - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Pumpkin soup - 8 liters
- Vegetable broth - 2 liters
- Cooking cream - 1 liter
- Croutons - 500 grams
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Chives - 4 bunches
- Mini quiches - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Mandarins - 30 pieces
- Christmas loaf - 4 pieces
- Spiced biscuits - 2 kilogram
- Christmas cookies - 1,5 kilogram
- Chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 liters
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cinnamon sticks - 2 bags
- Cloves - 1 jar
- Napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include both chilled drinks and enough coffee or tea for guests who want something hot.
Allow one bowl of soup per guest, plus roughly 10% extra for spills and second servings. Use insulated dispensers or another heat-retaining container so the soup stays warm while people arrive.
Buy one plate, bowl, mug, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Serving spoons, soup spoons, platters and trays are easy to forget but are needed before the buffet can open.
Provide one chair or bench place per guest and enough picnic blankets for anyone sitting on the ground. Check the weather forecast 24 to 48 hours before the picnic and add dry storage for food, decorations and spare materials.
Do not leave lighting and power until the day itself: plan at least one LED lantern per serving or seating area, and charge power banks the day before. Pack waste bins, name badges, pens and dietary labels with the decorations so they arrive at the venue.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Christmas picnic?: Plan one portion of soup, bread with toppings, fruit and snacks for each guest, then add about 10% extra. Increase the amount if the picnic lasts more than 3 hours or replaces a full meal.
How many drinks should I buy for a Christmas picnic?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour and 1 drink per person for every hour after that. Buy a mix of cold drinks, coffee and tea, and add extra water for outdoor activities or warm weather.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a Christmas picnic?: Buy drinks 1 to 2 days before the event so you can check quantities and chill them in advance. Move them into coolers on the day, ideally 1 hour before guests arrive.
How many plates and cups do I need for a picnic?: Prepare one plate, soup bowl, mug, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each item where practical, along with enough serving platters and spoons.

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