What to buy for a Día de los Muertos celebration

This Día de los Muertos shopping list covers the practical supplies for a celebration with an altar, shared food, drinks and hands-on activities. Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% extra, and buy fresh flowers and fruit close to the event so they stay presentable. You will also need serving equipment, coffee and tea supplies, decorations, and simple items for registration and workshops. Check quantities against your final guest list before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 110
Buffet tablesqty 4
Workshop tablesqty 6
High tablesqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 16
Foldable tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 130
Reusable bowlsqty 110
Reusable cupsqty 180
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 130
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving tongsqty 8
Water carafesqty 12

Decorations

Offering stand
Papel picado garlandsqty 12
Colored table runnersqty 12
Decorative skullsqty 20
Paper flowersqty 40
Decorative clothsqty 8
Photo framesqty 20
Mirrorsqty 4
Chalkboardsqty 6
Name badgesqty 120
Wristbandsqty 120
Ribbonsqty 10
Decorative potsqty 8

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
LED candlesqty 40
Lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Music player
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Camera
Photo tripodsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knifeqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Food containersqty 20
Allergen labelsqty 40
Glovesqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Dishpanqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 3

Creative materials

Face paint setsqty 8
Makeup brushesqty 24
Mirrors for face paintingqty 8
Paper for flowersqty 300
Children's scissorsqty 20
Glue sticksqty 30
Colored pencilsqty 20
Markersqty 20
Table filmqty 6
Apronsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Corn tortillas - 240 pieces
- Wheat tortillas - 120 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Ground beef - 6 kilogram
- Black beans - 6 cans
- Pinto beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Red onions - 3 kilogram
- White onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Bell peppers - 5 kilograms
- Jalapeño peppers - 2 kilogram
- Avocados - 35 pieces
- Limes - 6 kilograms
- Coriander - 12 bunches
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Radish - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Spring onions - 8 bunches
- Grated cheese - 4 kilograms
- Sour cream - 4 kilograms
- Crème fraîche - 2 kilograms
- Tomato salsa - 6 liters
- Green salsa - 4 liters
- Red chili sauce - 2 liters
- Guacamole - 5 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Beef broth - 4 liters
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Ground coriander - 150 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Chili powder - 200 grams
- Oregano - 150 grams
- Cinnamon - 150 grams
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Wheat flour - 4 kilogram
- Cornmeal - 4 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 4 kilograms
- Powdered sugar - 2 kilogram
- Brown sugar - 2 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla extract - 250 milliliters
- Baking powder - 500 grams
- Active dry yeast - 200 grams
- Chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Chocolate glaze - 2 kilograms
- Edible coloring - 12 tubes
- Chocolate sprinkles - 1 kilogram
- Shredded coconut - 1 kilogram
- Pumpkin - 8 kilogram
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Pineapples - 5 pieces
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Pecans - 1 kilogram
- Peanuts - 1 kilogram
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 2 kilograms
- Tortilla chips - 5 kilograms
- Snacks - 2 kilograms
- Cookies - 4 kilograms
- Pan de muerto - 12 pieces
- Churros - 250 pieces
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 200 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange lemonade - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 100 bottles
- Mango juice - 12 liters
- Pineapple juice - 12 liters
- Hibiscus tea - 10 liters
- Lime juice - 3 liters
- Mineral water for coffee - 20 liters
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Aluminum trays - 40 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Sugar sachets - 500 pieces
- Milk sticks - 300 pieces
- Toothpicks - 500 pieces

Tips

Buy 10% more reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery than your confirmed guest count. Extra place settings cover breakage, late arrivals and food served in multiple rounds.
Pick up fresh flowers and fruit no earlier than 1–2 days before the event. Store them in a cool place, and keep flowers away from fruit so both remain usable for the altar.
Plan one serving spoon or pair of serving tongs for each shared dish, plus at least two serving platters for the buffet. Missing serving tools are easy to overlook when food suppliers deliver separately.
For drinks, prepare at least one water carafe per table and enough cups for the full guest count. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive rather than relying on the final setup window.
Buy name badges, wristbands or ribbons before printing the final guest list, and keep 10% extra for replacements. Put these at the reception desk with a separate supply of pens.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Día de los Muertos celebration?: Plan for tableware, serving platters and utensils, water carafes, coffee and tea cups, fresh flowers, fruit, altar supplies and decorations. Add table coverings, name badges or wristbands, and materials for workshops if those activities are on your program.
How many plates and cups do I need per guest?: Allow one plate, one bowl, one cup and one cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. If guests will eat in several rounds, plan additional plates or schedule washing and restocking between servings.
When should I buy flowers and fruit for the altar?: Buy fresh flowers and fruit 1–2 days before the celebration. This gives you time to check quality and prepare the altar while keeping the offerings fresh.
How much serving equipment do I need for the buffet?: Provide one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every shared dish, with at least two serving platters ready for the buffet. Set up the buffet before guests arrive and keep a small reserve of clean utensils nearby.

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