What to Buy for a Diwali Celebration

A Diwali celebration needs more than food and candles. Plan purchases around the number of guests, the meal format and the rituals in your programme. This checklist covers serving equipment, table settings, rangoli materials, floral decorations, diyas, drinks service and basic sound equipment. Order fresh groceries close to the event, while dry goods, tableware and decorations can be checked and bought earlier. Keep a separate count for dining, dessert and tea service so you do not run short during the evening.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
Welcome table
Clothes racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 14
Chair coversqty 80

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 80
Glassesqty 120
Tea glassesqty 80
Cups and saucersqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Decorations

Rangoli powderqty 8
Artificial flowersqty 12
Flower garlandsqty 10
Diya holdersqty 80
Table décorqty 12
Diwali bannersqty 4
Paper lanternsqty 12
Decorative clothsqty 8
Puja cloth

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Oven mittsqty 4

Lighting

LED light garlandsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati rice - 8 kilos
- Red lentils - 3 kilos
- Chickpeas - 3 kilos
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Ginger - 1 kilo
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cauliflower - 5 pieces
- Spinach - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Peas - 3 kilos
- Green peppers - 250 grams
- Coriander - 10 bunches
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Coconut milk - 12 cans
- Breaded cheese - 4 kilos
- Tofu - 2 kilos
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Ghee - 2 liter
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Flour - 5 kilo
- Chickpea flour - 3 kilos
- Basmati flour - 2 kilos
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Icing sugar - 2 kilos
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Cumin seeds - 250 gram
- Coriander powder - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Garam masala - 500 grams
- Curry powder - 500 grams
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cardamom - 100 gram
- Cinnamon sticks - 100 gram
- Cloves - 100 grams
- Mustard seeds - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Tamarind paste - 2 jars
- Mango chutney - 4 jars
- Mint sauce - 4 jars
- Tomato passata - 6 bottles
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Papadums - 200 grams
- Samosas - 160 pieces
- Pakoras - 160 pieces
- Naan bread - 100 pieces
- Papadum spices - 2 bags
- Basmati rice noodles - 2 kilo
- Cashews - 1 kilo
- Almonds - 1 kilo
- Raisins - 750 gram
- Desiccated coconut - 750 grams
- Pistachios - 500 grams
- Sesame seeds - 500 gram
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Mangoes - 20 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Chai mix - 2 packs
- Cardamom tea - 2 boxes
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Mango Juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Gulab jamun - 120 pieces
- Barfi - 4 kilo
- Jalebi - 3 kilo
- Rice pudding - 8 liter
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Honey - 2 jars
- Rose water - 2 bottles
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Reusable straws - 100 pieces

Tips

Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, glass, fork, knife and spoon per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each regularly used item.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Add tea glasses and cups with saucers if tea is part of the programme.
Buy fresh vegetables and other chilled ingredients 1–2 days before the celebration, but purchase dry groceries, serving trays and cutlery at least 7 days ahead so substitutions are still possible.
Prepare at least one diya holder or safe candle position per diya, and test every diya and candle 1–2 days before the event. Keep decorations and tablecloths away from open flames.
Allow one serving spoon or utensil for each buffet dish, plus two or three extra serving trays for desserts and refills. Label dishes against the dietary list before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Diwali celebration?: Start with one complete place setting per guest and add 10% spare items. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 dinner plates, dessert plates, glasses, forks, knives and spoons, adjusting bowls and tea service to the menu.
When should I buy food for a Diwali celebration?: Buy dry groceries and packaged drinks at least 7 days ahead. Buy fresh vegetables, herbs and other perishable ingredients 1–2 days before the event, then wash and portion them according to the final guest list.
How many diyas do I need for Diwali?: Choose the number based on your ritual and decoration plan, then provide one stable diya holder or safe position for every diya. Test them 1–2 days beforehand and keep extra candles available in case any fail.
How many serving spoons and trays are needed for a Diwali buffet?: Use at least one serving spoon or utensil per buffet dish and keep two or three extra serving trays for desserts, refills or clearing the table. Count the dishes after the menu is final, not before.

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