Hanukkah party checklist

Plan your Hanukkah party in a clear order, from choosing the date and venue to preparing latkes, setting up the buffet, and lighting the chanukiyot. This checklist helps you track guests, dietary requirements, children’s activities, music, food, tableware, and volunteer jobs without leaving key details until the last minute. Start with the venue and invitations, then confirm quantities and equipment before shopping. In the final days, focus on chilled food, batter, decorations, and the serving area.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set the date and program
2 people
Confirm venue and capacity
2 people
Make reservations
Draft invitations
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Register sign-ups
Collect dietary requirements
Select children's activities
2 people
Put together the music
Print the program
Update visitor list
Share the dietary overview
Order groceries
2 people
Check chanukiot
2 people
Sort dreidels and gelt
2 people
Check decorations
2 people
Inventory dishware
Assign volunteers
2 people
Pick up groceries
2 people
Store dry goods
2 people
Keep chilled products cool
2 people
Prepare latke batter
3 people
Set out applesauce and toppings
2 people
Prepare salads
3 people
Prepare the dessert buffet
2 people
Set up the coffee and tea station
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up tables
4 people
Set up chairs
3 people
Dress the buffet tables
2 people
Hang decorations
3 people
Set up the Chanukiah table
2 people
Set up the paint table
2 people
Test lighting and sound equipment
2 people
Lay out name badges
Check toilets
Set up the entrance booth
2 people
Brief reception team
2 people

Event

Welcome guests
3 people
Hand out name badges
2 people
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
Guide dreidel games
3 people
Supervise the children's craft table
2 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Refill snacks
2 people
Bake the latkes
3 people
Serve latkes and toppings
4 people
Clear the meal tables
3 people
Light the chanukiah
2 people
Accompany Hanukkah songs
2 people
Give a short speech
Serve the dessert buffet
3 people
Hand out the gel
2 people
Serve the last round of drinks
2 people
See off guests
3 people

Aftercare

Pack leftovers safely
3 people
Collect tableware
3 people
Sort and dispose of waste
3 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Clean the kitchen
3 people
Clean the room
3 people
Safely extinguish the chanukiah
Remove decorations
2 people
Wash and dry the dishes
3 people
Inventory materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Handle lost property
Send thank-you message

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8
Coat racksqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 90
Bowlsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving utensilsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 24
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Frying pansqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Colandersqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Baking dishesqty 6
Food warmersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot platesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 5
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
Table lampsqty 6

Decorations

Chanukiahsqty 4
Hanukkah candlesqty 40
Menorah table runnersqty 4
Blue tableclothsqty 10
Star decorationsqty 12
Paper garlandsqty 8
Name badgesqty 90
Program leafletsqty 90
Table numbersqty 10
Dreidelsqty 50
gelt bagsqty 80
Craft kitsqty 30

Cleaning

Reusable clothsqty 20
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the date, program, venue, and capacity before sending invitations. Ask guests to sign up and give dietary requirements at least 7 days before the party so the food plan and seating can be adjusted.
Count plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, serving utensils, tables, and chairs for the confirmed guest list, then add roughly 10% extra. Check this at least 3 days before the event, not while guests are arriving.
Check every chanukiah, dreidel, and piece of gelt 3 to 5 days ahead. Put candles, matches or a lighter, and the lighting instructions together in one clearly labelled place.
Buy dry goods early, but keep chilled products cold as soon as they arrive. Prepare salads and toppings ahead where possible, while making the latke batter close enough to serving time that it does not sit for hours.
Assign volunteers specific jobs and times, including greeting guests, supervising children’s activities, replenishing the buffet, handling waste, and clearing dishes. Print the program and dietary overview before setup so helpers do not need to search for information.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I send Hanukkah party invitations?: Send invitations about 3 to 4 weeks before the party. Set the RSVP deadline 7 days before the event so you can confirm the visitor list, dietary requirements, food quantities, and seating.
When should I prepare latke batter for a Hanukkah party?: Prepare the batter on the day of the party, ideally shortly before frying. If you need to prepare ingredients earlier, keep them covered and chilled, then mix the batter close to cooking time.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Hanukkah party?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, drinking glass, and basic cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% extra. Add enough serving spoons, trays, bowls, and wine glasses for the buffet and drinks.
What should I do one week before a Hanukkah party?: Close sign-ups, collect dietary requirements, confirm the venue and capacity, assign volunteers, and finalize children’s activities and music. Use the confirmed guest count to order groceries and check tableware, chanukiyot, decorations, and cooking equipment.

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Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.