Family Day shopping list

This Family Day shopping list covers the items people most often forget when a shared meal, barbecue and games are planned for families. Start with guest numbers, then allow extra tableware for children and seconds at the buffet. Check dietary requirements before buying meat, vegetables and desserts, and chill drinks and barbecue food in separate coolers. Add practical equipment such as extension cords, serving utensils and name badges before shopping day, not on the morning of the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothqty 10
Clothing rack

Tableware

Platesqty 80
Deep platesqty 30
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Mugsqty 30
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Small bowlsqty 12
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum grill traysqty 12
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Ice cube traysqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 12
Table décorqty 10
Name badgesqty 70
Markersqty 2
Tapeqty 4
Ropeqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 6

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Volleyballqty 2
Volleyball net
Frisbeesqty 5
Skipping ropesqty 6
Water balloonsqty 200
Wooden gamesqty 4
Conesqty 20
Scoreboardsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 70 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hot dogs - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 45 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilogram
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Corn - 12 ears
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Cheese sandwich spread - 1,5 kilogram
- Ham sandwich filling - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Salsa sauce - 3 jars
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Ice - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Barbecue charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 refills
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminium trays - 50 pieces

Tips

Plan one plate, fork, knife, glass and napkin per guest, plus at least 10% extra for dropped or dirty items. Add deep plates and spoons if you are serving salad, soup or other foods with sauce.
For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person per hour. Bring water jugs as well as chilled drinks, and keep at least one cooler for barbecue meat and desserts.
For a barbecue, buy enough meat and vegetarian alternatives for the confirmed guest count, then add roughly 10% extra for larger appetites. Chill the meat before leaving and pack marinades, cutting boards and a chef’s knife separately.
Pack serving platters, serving spoons and small bowls with the food rather than leaving them for setup. They are easy to overlook when the shopping list focuses only on ingredients.
Check power and shade needs at least one day before Family Day. Count the coffee machines, kettles and speakers you will use, then pack matching extension cords, power strips and power banks; add party tents if rain or strong sun is forecast.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Family Day barbecue?: Buy barbecue meat, vegetarian options, vegetables, marinades, desserts and drinks for the confirmed guest count, with about 10% extra food. Pack the barbecue, gas cylinders, coolers, cutting boards, a chef’s knife and serving platters. Chill meat and desserts before transport.
How many drinks do I need for Family Day?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Include water separately and bring enough ice or cooler space to keep drinks chilled for the full program.
How much tableware do I need for a family event?: Prepare one complete place setting per guest and add at least 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 plates, glasses, forks, knives and spoons, plus extra coffee cups or mugs if coffee and tea are served.
When should I do the Family Day shopping?: Buy non-perishable supplies and equipment two to three days beforehand. Shop for fresh vegetables and desserts one day before, and pick up drinks and barbecue meat on the day itself or the evening before so they can stay chilled.

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