What to buy for a meditation day

A meditation day needs fewer supplies than a typical event, but the details affect how calm and comfortable the day feels. Plan seating, cushions, blankets and eye cushions for every participant, plus a small margin for extras. You will also need separate tableware for the tea break and meal, equipment for clear instructions, and enough hot water to avoid queues. Check dietary requirements before shopping, and label special meals separately when they arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 45
Foldable tablesqty 8
Reception desk
Shoe racksqty 2
Dressing room benchesqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 45
Tea glassesqty 45
Water glassesqty 45
Dinner platesqty 45
Soup bowlsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Serving plattersqty 8
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Kettleqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 5

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Meditation cushionsqty 40
Meditation matsqty 40
Blanketsqty 40
Eye cushionsqty 40
Blanketsqty 6
Flip chart
Flip chart sheets
Markersqty 12

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Mood lightingqty 2

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Honey - 2 jars
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Ginger juice - 2 liters
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Lentils - 3 kilos
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Sweet potatoes - 5 kilos
- Zucchini - 10 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Basmati rice - 4 kilos
- Whole grain crackers - 6 packs
- Walnuts - 1 kilo
- Raisins - 1 kilo
- Dates - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilo
- Paper napkins - 5 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 3 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Provide one meditation cushion and one mat per participant, then add 10% extra if space and budget allow. Keep blankets and eye cushions within easy reach rather than handing them out after the session starts.
For the tea break, plan at least two cups per person if the break lasts 30–45 minutes. Use both a kettle and thermos flasks so hot drinks remain available while the room stays quiet.
Allow one water glass and roughly 1 litre of drinking water for every four participants. Fill water jugs before the doors open and place them where people can refill without interrupting the session.
Prepare one complete place setting per meal guest: a dinner plate, soup bowl if needed, cutlery set and water glass. Buy or pack 5–10% extra tableware to cover breakage, spills and late registrations.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, microphone, extension cords and power strips before shopping day ends. Bring a flip chart and markers for the programme, and keep cables away from meditation mats and walkways.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a meditation day?: Plan one chair or meditation place per participant, plus cushions, mats, blankets and eye cushions. Add tea and coffee equipment, water jugs, meal tableware, a speaker and a microphone if the room is large. Keep 5–10% extra seating and tableware available.
How many meditation cushions do I need per person?: Buy or bring one meditation cushion and one mat per participant. Add 10% extra, so a group of 20 needs 22 cushions and 22 mats if storage allows.
How much tea and coffee should I buy for a meditation day?: For a 30–45 minute tea break, plan two hot drinks per person, with extra coffee and tea for volunteers and leaders. For 20 people, prepare about 44 servings and use thermos flasks to keep drinks hot.
When should I buy supplies for a meditation day?: Buy non-perishable equipment and tableware at least 3–7 days beforehand. Shop for fresh food 1 day before, after confirming registrations and dietary requirements, and label special meals separately before serving.

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