Family reunion shopping list

A family reunion needs more than food and drinks. Plan for buffet service, children, dietary requirements, changing weather and the practical details that keep relatives comfortable throughout the day. Use your confirmed guest list to calculate quantities, then check what the venue already provides before buying anything. The list covers serving equipment, tableware, kitchen tools and setup items, so you can shop once and avoid last-minute runs for basics such as extra glasses, ice or labels for allergens.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Chair cushionsqty 40
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 100
Deep platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 160
Wine glassesqty 80
Knivesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Teaspoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging cablesqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Name badgesqty 90
Markersqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo sleevesqty 40
Table decorationsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 3
Tug of war rope
Badminton setsqty 2
Game cardsqty 6
Board gamesqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3
Hand broomsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Multigrain loaves - 8 pieces
- Mini burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 25 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Bell peppers - 15 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Corn - 12 cans
- Olives - 6 jars
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Salami - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 50 pcs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 3 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Strawberry tart - 2 pieces
- Lemon tart - 2 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra for breakages, dropped cutlery and children. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 plates, forks, knives and drinking glasses.
Plan drinks separately for adults and children. For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then about one drink per person per hour; keep chilled products in coolers until serving.
Buy or borrow enough buffet equipment for the full menu: serving platters, serving spoons, tongs and pitchers. One serving utensil per dish prevents guests from mixing sauces, salads and allergen-sensitive foods.
Check the weather forecast several days before the reunion and keep party tents, tables, chairs and tablecloths on your checklist if the gathering is outdoors. Do not leave shelter, seating or access arrangements until the morning itself.
Set aside name tags and separate allergen labels before shopping day. Confirm dietary requirements and children’s ages from the final guest list, then buy suitable plates, cups and portions rather than guessing at the venue.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a family reunion?: Buy one place setting per confirmed guest and add 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives, spoons and drinking glasses; add deep plates if soup or another liquid dish is served.
How many drinks should I buy for a family reunion?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, followed by about one drink per person per hour. For a four-hour reunion with 30 guests, that is roughly 150 to 180 drinks, with extra water and child-friendly options included.
When should I buy chilled food for a family reunion?: Buy chilled products one day before the reunion, or on the same day if storage is limited. Keep them cold in the refrigerator or filled coolers until serving, and do not put everything out at once if the meal lasts several hours.
How much extra food and tableware should I plan for?: Use the final guest count and add about 10% for tableware and serving pieces. For food, increase portions by 10% to 15%, especially when relatives may arrive early, children need smaller repeat servings or the menu includes popular buffet dishes.

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.