What to buy for a family talent show

A family talent show needs more than a microphone and a few prizes. This shopping list covers the practical supplies for performances, audience voting, refreshments, certificates, seating and simple stage decoration. Plan quantities from your guest count, then separate items you can buy early from fresh food and drinks needed on the day. Check cables, batteries and music equipment before shopping so missing technical items do not become a last-minute problem.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Bar stoolsqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 70
Tableclothsqty 10

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Music player
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Gaffer tapeqty 3
Wireless presentation mouse
Spare batteriesqty 12

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
String lightsqty 4
Night lightsqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Backdrop cloth
Star foilqty 2
Confettiqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Adhesive hooksqty 30
Ribbonqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot platesqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3

Catering

Insulated bagsqty 3
Cake standsqty 2
Drink dispensersqty 3
Menusqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Ice packsqty 12
Trophiesqty 3
Certificate foldersqty 12
Name badgesqty 80
Ballot boxesqty 2
Ballotsqty 80
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 4
Stage sign

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet paper holdersqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Cleaning brushesqty 4

Groceries

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Mandarins - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Celery - 4 heads
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Grape juice - 3 bottles
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Yogurt dip - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Basmati rice - 4 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Ground beef - 4 kilo
- Vegetarian mince - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 5 kilos
- Tortilla wraps - 100 pieces
- Grated cheese - 4 kilos
- Feta - 2 kilos
- Crème fraîche - 2 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Brownies - 6 trays
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate - 3 kilos
- Candy mix - 4 kilos
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free wraps - 20 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Vegan yogurt - 2 liter
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Toothpicks - 3 boxes
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan drinks by timing: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per person for each additional hour. Buy extra water for performers, judges and anyone working backstage.
Prepare one voting ballot and one pen for every audience member who will vote, plus at least 10% extra. Keep spare pens at the voting table because they are commonly taken or stop working.
Pack the technical kit separately: microphones, stands, mixer, laptop or music player, extension cords, power strips, gaffer tape and spare batteries. Test every microphone and music file at least one day before the show.
Buy or assemble one prize or certificate for every confirmed performance category, not only for the overall winner. Add a few blank certificates so a late category or spelling correction does not delay the presentation.
Leave fresh products until the final shopping trip, ideally within 24 hours of the event. Non-perishable decorations, tableware, ribbons and supplies for name badges can be sorted several days earlier.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a family talent show?: For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per guest, then one to two more per person for every additional hour. Include water separately, especially for performers and anyone under hot stage lights.
What equipment is needed for a family talent show?: At minimum, prepare speakers, microphones, microphone stands, a mixer, a laptop or music player, extension cords, power strips and gaffer tape. Bring spare batteries and test the full setup at least 24 hours beforehand.
How many voting ballots should I print?: Print one ballot per voting audience member and add 10% extra. For 50 voters, prepare at least 55 ballots and keep spare pens at the voting table.
When should I buy food for a family talent show?: Buy non-perishable supplies several days in advance and shop for fresh products within 24 hours of the event. Confirm dietary requirements before calculating the final catering quantities.

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