What to Buy for a Dutch Evening

A Dutch evening needs more than drinks and orange decorations. Plan the food, serving equipment and tableware together so guests can eat comfortably and special dietary products do not get mixed up. For drinks, allow two to three servings per person in the first hour, then one serving per hour after that. Buy or collect the items below at least one day ahead, and chill drinks and prepare the food before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 65
Platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 10

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 5
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Deep fryersqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Decorations

Dutch flagsqty 12
Red, white and blue garlandsqty 10
Orange balloonsqty 80
Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Coffee creamer - 4 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- 7UP - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Jenever - 2 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Bitterballen - 240 pieces
- Mini frikandels - 180 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 120 pieces
- Vlammetjes - 120 pieces
- Croquettes - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Curry - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Satay sauce - 2 liters
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Liver sausage - 1 kilo
- Dry sausage - 1 kilo
- Ox sausage - 1 kilo
- Herring - 40 pieces
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Amsterdam onions - 3 jars
- Boiled eggs - 30 pieces
- Russian salad - 4 kilos
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Crudités salad - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Deep-frying oil - 8 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Poffertjes - 200 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 packs
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Diet bread rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan bitterballen - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 40 pieces
- Vegan mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Count plates, glasses and cutlery for every guest, then add at least 10% extra. Dessert plates, coffee cups and wine glasses are easy to overlook when the evening includes both dinner and drinks.
Buy drinks in two stages: have enough for the first hour plus a reserve for the rest of the evening. Chill the first batch several hours beforehand and keep the remaining bottles in coolers or other cold storage.
Separate dietary products before serving starts and label them clearly. Put the dedicated serving spoons and platters with those dishes so they are not used for other food.
Plan the serving equipment around the menu: use food warmers for hot dishes, serving trays for drinks and snacks, and cutting boards and kitchen knives for last-minute preparation. Check these items before shopping day rather than discovering a shortage during setup.
If the evening uses music, lighting or a microphone, include extension cords and power strips in the equipment check. Test speakers, the mixer, LED lamps and string lights before opening the venue, not while guests are arriving.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy per person for a Dutch evening?: Plan on two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Add non-alcoholic options and buy a reserve so you are not shopping during the event.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Dutch evening?: Provide one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one complete cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. If you serve wine and coffee, add one wine glass and one coffee cup per guest, with spare glasses for breakage.
When should I chill drinks for a Dutch evening?: Chill the first batch at least four hours before guests arrive; bottles and larger quantities may need overnight cooling. Put the remaining drinks in coolers as soon as the venue opens.
What food should I prepare before a Dutch evening?: Prepare salads and toppings on the day, and pre-cook the potatoes before guests arrive so the kitchen is not overloaded. Sort snacks and set aside dietary products at least one hour before serving.

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