Halloween Party Shopping List

Use this checklist to shop for a Halloween party without missing the practical items that are easy to leave until the last minute. Plan tableware, serving equipment, drinks equipment, decorations and power supplies alongside the food. Reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery cover the buffet, while coolers and kettles keep drinks service moving. Check batteries, extension cords and power banks before setup, especially if you are using pumpkin lanterns, speakers or a microphone.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Stoolsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 80
Reusable glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Mugsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving traysqty 10
Soup ladlesqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Decorations

Plastic pumpkinsqty 20
Pumpkin lanternsqty 10
Plastic spidersqty 30
Plastic batsqty 25
Plastic skeletonsqty 6
Plastic gravestonesqty 6
Halloween light garlandsqty 8
Orange garlandsqty 8
Black streamersqty 8
Plastic spider webqty 10
Photo frame
Decorative broomsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
LED candlesqty 30
Flashlightsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Baking dishesqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 12

Game materials

Craft matsqty 6
Children's apronsqty 12
Paintbrushesqty 30
Adhesive tablesqty 6
Quiz card setsqty 4
Trophiesqty 6
Ring toss game
Tin can toss game
Fishing game

Safety

First aid kit
Fire blanket
Flashlights for outdoorsqty 6
Non-slip matsqty 6
Barrier tapeqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Reusable clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Mini Sausages - 4 packs
- Puff pastry - 6 packs
- Pizza bases - 8 pieces
- Tomato sauce - 8 jars
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Salami - 1 kilo
- Mushrooms - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 6 bunches
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Mini wraps - 6 packs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Pumpkin soup - 8 liters
- Sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Halloween cookies - 8 packs
- Cupcakes - 80 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Candy mix - 6 kilos
- Gummy worms - 3 kilo
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Chocolate drops - 3 kilos
- Sprinkles - 6 jars
- Gelatin-free candy - 2 kilos
- Nut-free cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Vegan burgers - 12 pieces
- Herb mix - 6 sachets
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. A party for 30 people therefore needs 33 of each basic place setting.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, plus one drink for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and keep mugs or coffee cups separate from reusable glasses.
Buy serving spoons, tongs, trays and a soup ladle before shopping for buffet food. These are often forgotten because they are not part of a standard place setting.
Test batteries for pumpkin lanterns and other decorations at least 24 hours before the party. Keep power banks available as a backup and place extension cords and power strips where guests cannot trip over them.
Set aside decorations by area instead of opening every box during setup. Group plastic pumpkins, spiders, bats, skeletons and gravestones, and leave enough clear table space for food and drinks.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Halloween party?: Plan food and drinks for the final guest count, then add tableware, serving utensils, decorations and power supplies. For tableware, allow one of each basic item per guest plus 10% spare; for 30 guests, that means 33 plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery sets.
How many drinks should I buy for a Halloween party?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one per person for each later hour. For 20 guests over three hours, plan roughly 80 to 100 drinks, including non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy Halloween party decorations?: Buy decorations at least one week before the party so you have time to check quantities and replace missing items. Test lantern batteries and sort pumpkins, spiders, bats, skeletons and gravestones at least 24 hours before setup.
How much extra food and tableware do I need for a Halloween party?: Add about 10% extra tableware and around 10% extra snack portions to your planned total. For 30 guests, prepare supplies for 33 people, especially plates, glasses, bowls and easy-to-serve snacks.

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