What to buy for an Eid celebration

An Eid celebration needs more than food and decorations. Plan purchases around the final guest count, with separate supplies for the buffet, drinks, prayer room, children’s activities, cloakroom, and waste. Confirm dietary requirements before ordering food, then split shopping into non-perishables and fresh groceries. This checklist also helps you spot commonly missed items such as serving utensils, food warmers, name badges, printed menus, coat hangers, and enough cups for coffee and cold drinks.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Drink tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2
Coat hangersqty 80
Children's chairsqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Prayer matsqty 30

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Soup bowlsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 15
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s, bread and carving knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Hot platesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Bluetooth speaker
Microphone
Laptop
Label printer

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Chair coversqty 70
Party buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Menusqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Halal chicken - 12 kilograms
- Halal beef - 10 kilograms
- Basmati rice - 8 kilograms
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Zucchini - 4 kilogram
- Eggplants - 3 kilogram
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Parsley - 8 bunches
- Coriander - 8 bunches
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Corn - 10 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 16 cans
- Tomato paste - 8 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Cooking oil - 5 liter
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Cinnamon - 150 grams
- Ginger powder - 150 grams
- Ras el hanout - 250 grams
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Chili sauce - 2 liters
- Yogurt - 6 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Pita bread - 80 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Dates - 4 kilograms
- Baklava - 5 kilogram
- Cookies - 5 kilogram
- Cake - 6 pieces
- Watermelons - 6 pieces
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 5 kilograms
- Oranges - 6 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Work from the confirmed guest list before buying food or disposable supplies. Add separate quantities for children, dietary requirements, and anyone joining only for prayer or dessert.
Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Include water, hot-drink supplies, ice or coolers, and enough glasses, coffee cups, kettles, and thermos flasks.
Buy or reserve serving equipment before the food arrives. A buffet for several dishes may need multiple serving platters, trays with lids, serving spoons, tongs, cutting boards, and food warmers.
Set aside a complete prayer-room kit rather than borrowing items at the last minute. Count prayer mats, check the room layout, and keep the area separate from buffet traffic and children’s activities.
Finish non-perishable shopping and printed materials several days ahead, then buy fresh groceries close to the event. Keep extra waste bins, coat hangers, children’s chairs, name badges, and printed guest lists ready for late changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an Eid celebration?: Base the order on the final guest count and plan roughly 1 main meal portion per guest, plus 10% extra for seconds and late additions. For a buffet with several dishes, confirm portions with the caterer after collecting dietary requirements.
How many drinks should I buy for Eid?: Allow two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, then around one drink per guest per hour. Add extra water and hot drinks if the celebration lasts several hours or includes a meal and dessert.
What tableware do I need for an Eid celebration?: Prepare at least one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, glass, and full cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. Include coffee cups and teaspoons for the hot-drink service, plus serving utensils for every buffet dish.
When should I buy groceries for an Eid celebration?: Buy non-perishable goods and reserve missing equipment several days before the event. Purchase fresh groceries as late as practical—usually one day before or on the day itself—and check chilled storage, coolers, and food warmers beforehand.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.