What to buy for an Easter picnic

An Easter picnic needs more than sandwiches and chocolate eggs. Plan food and drinks for the number of guests, then add the practical items that keep everything cold, covered and easy to serve outdoors. Reusable plates, cups, bowls, cutlery and serving utensils prevent last-minute gaps at the buffet. Check the forecast before shopping: tents, blankets, lanterns and ice packs are easy to overlook but can make the difference between a relaxed picnic and a rushed setup.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Picnic blanketsqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 100
Wine glassesqty 50
Knivesqty 50
Forksqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Easter flagsqty 4
Easter eggs for decorationqty 30

Sports equipment

Kubb set
Pétanque setsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 4
Easter egg basketsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Reusable dish towelsqty 8
Broom
Centerpiece
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- White and brown baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini and wholemeal sandwiches - 50 pieces
- Wraps - 30 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 750 grams
- Eggs - 40 pieces
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Radishes - 4 bunches
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Fresh chives - 4 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Oranges - 4 kilograms
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Yogurt - 3 kilograms
- Granola - 1.5 kilogram
- Chocolate eggs - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Recycling bin bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 200 pieces

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy extra water as well as chilled drinks, especially if guests will be outside in mild or sunny weather.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving platters and serving tongs separately so guests do not use table cutlery for shared food.
Buy ice packs and use clean coolers for chilled products. Pack perishable food into the coolers before leaving and keep the lids closed; do not rely on the picnic site to provide refrigeration.
Match shelter and seating to the guest count before you shop. Count picnic blankets, folding chairs and tables, then add party tents if the forecast shows rain or strong sun.
Shop for setup supplies as well as food: string lights and battery lanterns need batteries, while decorations, a Kubb set and pétanque sets are easy to forget when the focus is on the Easter menu.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for an Easter picnic?: Plan a main portion for each guest, plus two to three snack portions if the picnic lasts several hours. For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for every hour after that, with extra water.
How many plates, cups and cutlery items should I buy for a picnic?: Provide one plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per guest, then add around 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item, where practical, plus separate serving platters and tongs.
How long before an Easter picnic should I buy the food?: Buy non-perishable groceries and drinks two to three days ahead. Shop for fresh fruit, vegetables and other chilled foods one day before, then chill drinks and pack coolers on the day of the picnic.
What should I bring to keep an Easter picnic dry and comfortable?: Bring party tents for overhead cover, picnic blankets for seating and coolers with ice packs for food and drinks. Check the weather forecast 24 hours before the picnic and again on the morning itself so you can adjust the setup.

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