What to Buy for a Halloween Party

A Halloween party needs more than sweets and costumes. This shopping list covers the practical items behind the plan: food service, reusable tableware, decorations, lighting, sound and equipment for a ghost tour. Buy or gather the essentials early, especially pumpkins, LED lights, extension cords and serving equipment. Check your final guest list before shopping so you can calculate cups, plates, drinks and snacks without running short.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 80
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Pumpkinsqty 12
Artificial spider websqty 8
Plastic spidersqty 30
Halloween balloonsqty 60
Buntingqty 6
LED candlesqty 30
Scary masksqty 20
Decorative gravestonesqty 8

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Glue gunsqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 10
Battery lanternsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Tongs and spatulasqty 8

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Safety

First aid kit
Reflective vestsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Hot dog buns - 70 pieces
- Sausages - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian frankfurters - 15 pieces
- Fried onions - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Candy mix - 6 bags
- Mini chocolate bars - 5 bags
- Mandarins - 6 kilograms
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Cupcakes - 70 pieces
- Icing - 6 tubes
- Edible decorations - 6 bags
- Pumpkin soup - 12 liters
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Allergen stickers - 2 sets
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Battery tea lights - 30 pieces
- Craft cardboard - 10 packs
- Acrylic paint - 12 jars
- Paintbrushes - 30 pieces
- Aprons - 20 pieces
- Glue sticks - 30 pieces
- Painter's tape - 6 rolls
- Wire and rope - 4 rolls
- Glow sticks - 80 pieces
- Prize cups - 6 pieces

Tips

Plan one reusable cup, plate and set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra for items that are dropped or left in another room. Small bowls and serving spoons are easy to forget when snacks are prepared in several batches.
For drinks, allow two to three servings per person for the first hour, then one serving per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers several hours before guests arrive rather than relying on the refrigerator at the last minute.
Count your lighting before setting up the haunted walk: use a torch or lantern at every station and keep spare batteries available. Add LED candles and light strings only where cables cannot become a trip hazard.
Buy decorations with the room and route in mind. A few pumpkins, webs, spiders, balloons, bunting and decorative gravestones create separate zones; check that masks and small decorations are secured before guests arrive.
Test speakers, extension cords and power strips at least one day beforehand. Keep food warmers, chopping boards, knives, tongs and washing-up basins together so food preparation and cleanup do not compete for the same equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and plates do I need for a Halloween party?: Plan one cup and one plate per guest, then add 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 cups and 33 plates, with reusable cutlery for the same number.
How much food and drink should I buy for a Halloween party?: For drinks, allow two to three servings per person in the first hour and one serving per person for every later hour. For snacks, prepare around 6 to 8 small portions per guest for a two- to three-hour party, with extra food if a meal is not served.
When should I buy Halloween decorations and lighting?: Buy pumpkins, decorations, LED candles, light strings and lanterns at least one week before the party. Test all battery lights, speakers and cables no later than the day before the event.
What do I need for a Halloween ghost tour?: Prepare one torch or lantern for each post, plus spare batteries and any extension cords or power strips needed for fixed lighting. Set the route and obtain permission for the walk before buying or placing the station decorations.

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