What to Buy for a Halloween Party

A Halloween party needs more than pumpkins and sweets. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from serving equipment and coffee cups to extension cords and lighting. Plan quantities around your guest count, then check dietary requirements before buying snacks and desserts. Buy chilled drinks early enough to cool them properly, and collect decorations and game prizes before setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Coat rack
Buffet folding tableqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving bowlsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Kettleqty 2
Coffee maker
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Halloween buntingqty 8
Fake cobwebsqty 6
Plastic spidersqty 30
Halloween balloonsqty 40
Pumpkinsqty 12
Pumpkin knivesqty 6
LED candlesqty 24
Photo propsqty 20

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Colored LED lightsqty 6

Game materials

Quiz formsqty 50
Pensqty 25
Prizesqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 5
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketqty 2
Glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Ginger beer - 2 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Pretzels - 2 bags
- Mini sausages - 3 packs
- Puff pastry - 4 packs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Guacamole - 3 tubs
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Crackers - 5 packs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Wraps - 5 packs
- Herb cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilograms
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Mandarins - 20 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Donuts - 40 pieces
- Halloween cookies - 50 pieces
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Add extra soft drinks for drivers, children and guests who are not drinking alcohol.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10–15% extra for dropped items or guests who need a clean replacement. Prepare at least two serving bowls and platters for the buffet.
Buy or borrow one pumpkin per decorating participant, and provide one pumpkin knife for every 3–4 people. Hollowing pumpkins takes longer than expected, so schedule it at least 60 minutes before the party activity.
Check every light decoration and the Bluetooth speaker before the event, then pack extension cords and power strips with them. Keep LED candles and LED string lights ready as a safer backup if the main lighting is too dim.
Set aside prizes and photo props before guests arrive instead of buying them during setup. Keep a clear area for games, and write the rules on one sheet so the activity can start within 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Halloween party?: For drinks, plan 2–3 per guest in the first hour and 1–2 per person per following hour. For snacks, prepare roughly 6–8 small portions per guest, plus dessert portions for everyone who registered.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery sets should I buy?: Plan one complete place setting per guest and add 10–15% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22–23 plates, glasses and cutlery sets, unless you will wash items during the party.
How many pumpkins do I need for a Halloween party?: Provide one pumpkin for each person taking part in the activity, not automatically one for every guest. For 12 participants, buy 12 pumpkins and have at least 3 pumpkin knives available.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a Halloween party?: Buy non-perishable drinks and decorations 3–7 days ahead, then check the list again the day before. Chill bottled and canned drinks for at least 6 hours; use coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold the full amount.

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