What to Buy for a Holiday Home Weekend

A holiday home weekend needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware, kitchen equipment, lighting and activities for the whole group, especially if the house has a basic or unfamiliar kitchen. Use this list alongside the participant count and meal plan. Check what is already available before shopping, then pack the items that are easy to overlook, such as power banks, extension cords, flashlights and cleaning supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 14
Tableclothsqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 16
Bowlsqty 16
Glassesqty 24
Coffee mugsqty 16
Cutlery setsqty 16
Serving boardsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 3
Serving plattersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Portable speakers
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Power banksqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Table décorqty 3
Name badgesqty 16

Sports equipment

Soccer
Frisbee
Game cardsqty 2
Board gamesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 3

Cleaning

Hand brush and dustpan
Bucketsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Penne - 2 kilograms
- Pasta tomato sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 6 cans
- Ground beef - 2 kilogram
- Vegetarian mince - 1 kilogram
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Corn - 6 cans
- Salad dressing - 2 bottles
- Hamburger buns - 24 pieces
- Hamburgers - 24 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 24 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Potato salad - 2 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Hamburger cheese - 3 packs
- Breakfast bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 24 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Yogurt - 3 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 packs
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Chocolate bars - 16 pieces
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Laundry detergent - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Barbecue charcoal briquettes - 2 bags
- Fire starters - 1 box

Tips

Count plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery for every guest, then add 2–4 spare settings. Shared meals create extra washing-up, and a few additional pieces prevent shortages.
Plan drinks by occasion: allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1–2 per person for each additional hour. Chill the first batch before arrival and keep extra drinks in coolers.
Check the kitchen inventory at least 3 days before departure. Confirm that there are enough cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, serving platters and measuring cups for the meals you planned.
Pack one flashlight per room or pair of guests, plus at least 2 power banks and enough extension cords and power strips for phones, speakers and other equipment. Holiday homes often have fewer outlets than expected.
Prepare activities for both indoor and outdoor use: bring at least 1 ball or frisbee for every 6–8 people and 2–3 board or card games for an evening. Add name badges if guests do not all know each other.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a holiday home weekend?: Plan each main meal for the full guest count, then add about 10% extra for larger appetites and second servings. For a two-night weekend, make a meal plan covering arrival, breakfast, lunch and dinner rather than relying on last-minute shopping.
How many drinks do I need for a weekend away?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person, followed by 1–2 drinks per person per hour. Buy water and non-alcoholic options for every meal, and chill the first batch at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
What should I bring if the holiday home kitchen is poorly equipped?: Bring or buy the essentials for your planned meals: cutting boards, a chef’s knife, mixing bowls, serving platters and measuring cups. Check the kitchen inventory 3 days before the weekend so missing items can be sourced in time.
What do people usually forget for a holiday home weekend?: Flashlights, power banks, extension cords, power strips and a hand brush with dustpan are frequent omissions. Pack them at least 1 day before departure, along with table décor, games and spare tableware.

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