What to Buy for a Lohri Celebration

A Lohri celebration needs more than festive food and a bonfire. Plan supplies for cooking, serving, seating, music, and an indoor backup so the evening does not stall when the weather changes. Start with the confirmed guest count, then calculate food, drinks, plates, glasses, and seating with a small buffer. Non-perishable items can be bought early, while fresh vegetables, desserts, chilled drinks, firewood, and other time-sensitive supplies should be checked again during the final week.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 4
Tablecloth setsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Soup bowlsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 100
Tea glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 50
Dinner forksqty 80
Dinner knivesqty 80
Tablespoonsqty 80
Teaspoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 14
Serving tongsqty 8
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Colandersqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum traysqty 12
Food warmersqty 6
Induction hobsqty 3
Large cooking potsqty 4
Roasting pansqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 5
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Fire pit
Bundles of firewoodqty 8
Metal fire poker
Buckets for extinguishing waterqty 4
Fire extinguisherqty 2
Fire blanketqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8
Battery setsqty 12

Decorations

Lohri bannersqty 3
Yellow and orange fabricsqty 12
Flower garlandsqty 10
Paper lanternsqty 12
Table decorationsqty 8
Name badgesqty 75
Program flyersqty 75

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Dustpans and brushesqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Cornmeal - 8 kilograms
- Wheat flour - 6 kilogram
- Chickpeas - 6 kilograms
- Red lentils - 2 kilogram
- Basmati rice - 7 kilograms
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Onions - 8 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 5 kilogram
- Spinach - 5 kilograms
- Mustard greens - 6 kilograms
- Green peas - 3 kilogram
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Garlic - 1 kilogram
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Green peppers - 500 grams
- Coriander - 10 bunches
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 40 pieces
- Limes - 30 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Ghee - 2 liter
- Sunflower oil - 8 liters
- Paneer - 4 kilogram
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Coconut milk - 6 liter
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Canned chickpeas - 12 cans
- Ginger-garlic paste - 2 kilograms
- Garam masala - 500 grams
- Ground cumin - 300 grams
- Cumin seeds - 250 gram
- Coriander powder - 300 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Amchur powder - 200 grams
- Cardamom - 100 gram
- Cinnamon sticks - 20 pieces
- Cloves - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 50 grams
- Mustard seeds - 200 grams
- Fenugreek seeds - 100 gram
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Honey - 2 kilograms
- Tamarind paste - 2 kilogram
- Mint chutney - 3 liters
- Mango chutney - 3 liters
- Tomato ketchup - 3 liters
- Mangoes - 20 pieces
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 5 kilograms
- Peanuts - 3 kilograms
- Sesame seeds - 2 kilograms
- Sunflower seeds - 1 kilogram
- Roasted chickpeas - 2 kilograms
- Gajak - 3 kilograms
- Rewri - 3 kilogram
- Til laddoo - 80 pieces
- Jalebi - 4 kilograms
- Papad - 5 packs
- Samosas - 100 pieces
- Pakoras - 5 kilogram
- Popcorn - 2 kilograms
- Naan bread - 80 pieces
- Mango juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liter
- Still water - 24 liters
- Cola - 8 liters
- Coca-Cola Zero - 8 liters
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Ginger beer - 6 liters
- Masala chai - 5 kilograms
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Tea sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Coffee sugar - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 liters
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 liters
- Toilet cleaner - 2 liters
- Hand soap - 4 liters
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Wooden cocktail sticks - 500 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan serving quantities from the final guest count, then add roughly 10% extra for popular dishes, snacks, and desserts. This prevents empty serving platters when people return for seconds.
Buy non-perishable ingredients, napkins, fuel, and disposable backup supplies 7–10 days before Lohri. Leave fresh vegetables, dairy, bread, and desserts for the final 1–2 days.
Allow at least one plate, dessert plate, bowl, glass, tea glass, and cup per guest, plus 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means preparing 44 of each frequently used item.
Check the fire pit, firewood, food warmers, large pots, and serving utensils at least 3 days before the celebration. Firewood and heating equipment are easy to overlook and difficult to replace on the day.
Keep a weather backup ready before buying outdoor-only supplies. If the forecast is uncertain, have indoor tables, chairs, lighting, music, and a way to keep hot food warm arranged by the day before.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Lohri celebration?: Buy ingredients for the planned meal, snacks, chutneys, sauces, and desserts, along with drinks, serving ware, cooking equipment, and supplies for the bonfire. Check the final shopping list 7–10 days before the event, then buy fresh food during the last 1–2 days.
How much food do I need for Lohri?: Base the quantities on the confirmed guest count and allow about 10% extra for snacks, desserts, and popular dishes. For 40 guests, plan portions for approximately 44 people, especially for food that will be served buffet-style.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 40 Lohri guests?: Prepare at least 44 dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, drinking glasses, and cups when serving 40 guests. The extra 10% covers dropped items, guests using a clean second plate, and delayed washing.
When should I buy firewood and fresh food for Lohri?: Arrange the fire pit and firewood at least 3 days before the celebration, and confirm that the venue permits the fire. Buy fresh vegetables, dairy, bread, and desserts 1–2 days beforehand; purchase non-perishables 7–10 days earlier.

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