Family Birthday Shopping List
A family birthday needs more than cake and drinks. Plan food for the meal, snacks for the gaps, and enough tableware for every guest plus a few spares. If you are serving barbecue food, check the barbecue, tongs, fuel and preparation space before shopping day. Drinks need their own coolers or a drinks station, while coffee, cake and games are easy to overlook when the main meal takes up most of your attention.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 5
- Chairsqty 32
- Tableclothqty 5
Tableware
- Platesqty 40
- Dessert platesqty 35
- Bowlsqty 35
- Glassesqty 45
- Coffee cupsqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 40
- Serving boardsqty 4
- Serving plattersqty 6
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Cake knife
Equipment
- Barbecue
- Coolersqty 3
- Coffee maker
- Kettle
- Bluetooth speaker
- Extension cordsqty 2
- Power stripsqty 2
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Kitchen knivesqty 3
- Mixing bowlsqty 3
- Pansqty 2
- Barbecue tongsqty 2
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 40
- Party garlandqty 3
- Balloon pump
Lighting
- String lightsqty 3
- Battery lampsqty 4
Sports equipment
- Family gamesqty 4
- Outdoor gamesqty 2
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 3
- Broom
- Mop
- Bucket
Catering
- Groceries
- Hamburgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Pork satay - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 8 pieces
- Hamburger Buns - 35 pieces
- Pita breads - 20 pieces
- Herb butter - 3 tubs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kg
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Corn on the cob - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Barbecue seasoning mix - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Strawberries - 1 kilogram
- Birthday cake - 1 cake for 35 people
- Whipped cream - 3 spray cans
- Ice cream - 3 tubs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 36 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 5 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 4 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 6 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Barbecue charcoal - 2 bags
- Fire starters - 1 box
- Matches - 2 boxes
- Tealights - 1 pack
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Cling film containers - 1 pack
Tips
- Buy tableware for every guest and add 10% extra: for 20 guests, that means 22 plates, glasses and cutlery sets. Include dessert plates and coffee cups if cake and coffee are part of the plan.
- For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per adult, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in the coolers at least 4 hours before guests arrive, and keep water available throughout the party.
- If you are using the barbecue, shop for fuel, barbecue tongs and separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables at least 1 day ahead. Marinate meat and vegetables in covered containers and keep them refrigerated until cooking.
- Order the birthday cake at least 5–7 days before the party, especially if you need a specific size or dietary adjustment. Buy dessert plates and check that the cake knife is clean and ready before setting up.
- Count seating before shopping day: provide one chair per guest and enough table space for food, plates and drinks. Check extension cords, power strips, string lights and battery lamps 2–3 days ahead so lighting and music do not depend on a last-minute fix.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a family birthday party?
- For a meal, plan about 250–350 g of main food per adult, including meat, vegetables and salads. Add 4–6 snack portions per guest for the period before or after the meal, and include extra food for children if they are eating separately.
- How many drinks should I buy for a family birthday?
- Allow 2–3 drinks per adult for the first hour, followed by around 1 drink per person per hour. For 20 guests over 4 hours, that is roughly 80–100 drinks, with water and alcohol-free options included.
- How early should I order a birthday cake?
- Order the cake 5–7 days before the birthday. Order earlier if you need a particular design, a large cake or information about allergies and dietary requirements.
- How many plates and glasses do I need for 20 guests?
- Buy at least 22 dinner plates, 22 glasses and 22 cutlery sets for 20 guests. Add dessert plates and coffee cups for everyone if cake and coffee are served, plus a few spare pieces for breakage or unexpected guests.
Plans a lot like this one
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.
Organize this event for free with LizztOrganize for free and invite your contacts!