What to Buy for a Friendship Day Gathering

A Friendship Day gathering needs more than food and drinks. Plan for an outdoor setup with barbecue supplies, chilled drinks, reusable tableware, buffet serving items, seating, games and a simple registration point. This shopping list helps you cover the items people often remember too late, such as coolers, extension cords, waste bins and spare batteries. Check dietary requirements before shopping and keep meat and vegetarian food separate during preparation and serving.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Beer tablesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving traysqty 6

Kitchen

Barbecueqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Food containersqty 12
Aluminum barbecue traysqty 6

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeesqty 6
Conesqty 30
Tug of war rope
Skipping ropesqty 6
Water balloonsqty 200

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 8
Name stickersqty 80
Markersqty 12
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Work glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 30 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 30 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kg
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 3 kg
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kg
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Potato salad - 4 kg
- Pasta salad - 4 kg
- Barbecue spice mix - 4 bags
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Charcoal - 10 kg
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep extra water available in jugs, and refrigerate drinks before guests arrive.
For a barbecue, allow roughly 250–350 grams of food per adult, including vegetarian options and side dishes. Buy separate cutting boards, containers and serving utensils for meat and vegetarian food.
Count one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. Serving spoons, trays and small bowls are easy to overlook when the buffet is set up.
For an outdoor event, arrange at least one covered area before the day begins. Check the ground, position tables and chairs, and keep coolers, waste bins and food containers close to the serving area.
Test the Bluetooth speakers, microphone and power connections before guests arrive. Bring extension cords, power strips and fully charged rechargeable batteries so the programme does not depend on one socket or device.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Friendship Day barbecue?: Allow about 250–350 grams of food per adult, including meat, vegetarian food and side dishes. Add around 10% extra if guests will be there for more than four hours or if children are included in the count.
How many drinks should I buy for Friendship Day?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per person for every following hour. Include water separately and chill the first supply at least 4–6 hours before the gathering.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets do I need?: Start with one complete set per guest and add 10% spare items. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 plates, bowls, cups and cutlery sets, plus enough serving spoons and trays for the buffet.
What should I bring for an outdoor Friendship Day event?: Pack covered seating, tables, coolers, waste bins, barbecue equipment, reusable tableware, food containers and lighting or sound power supplies. Check the grounds and test extension cords and speakers at least 2 hours before the start.

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