What to buy for a mosque open day

A mosque open day needs more than tea and printed invitations. Visitors move through tours, reception, prayer areas, and refreshment points, so your shopping list must cover each stage without creating queues or clutter. Plan drinks, serving equipment, name badges, route information, and supplies for children and volunteers. Use your registration numbers to estimate quantities, then add a small buffer for walk-ins and spilled drinks. Keep fresh food chilled until shortly before serving.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Reception desk
Information desksqty 4
Shoe racksqty 8
Stoolsqty 12
Children's chairsqty 6
Bollardsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Tea glassesqty 80
Platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Spoonsqty 180
Knivesqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving traysqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Food tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Storage binsqty 12

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Laptop
Projector
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Decorations

Welcome signqty 2
Directional signsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 10
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Pennant stringsqty 6
Photo backdrop

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Vacuum cleanerqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning cart
Hand broomsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Mint tea - 4 bunches
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 packs
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Teaspoons - 2 packs
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Dates - 8 boxes
- Baklava - 8 trays
- Mini croissants - 200 pieces
- Mini muffins - 200 pieces
- Cheese rolls - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Halal chicken sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 8 trays
- Carrots - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Olives - 6 jars
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Wooden cocktail picks - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dietary and allergen labels - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sanitary cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning gloves - 8 pairs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper table runners - 10 rolls
- Labels - 4 sheets
- Pens - 30 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Tape - 6 rolls
- Double-sided tape - 4 rolls
- Felt-tip pens - 4 boxes
- Colored pencils - 4 boxes
- Coloring Pages - 100 pieces
- Paper name stickers - 250 pieces
- Children's wristbands - 100 pieces

Tips

Plan 2–3 drinks per visitor for a two-hour open day, including water, tea, and coffee. Add around 10% extra if registration is open to walk-ins.
Buy one reusable glass or cup per expected visitor, plus at least 10% spare. Coffee cups, tea glasses, plates, cutlery, and serving spoons should be available at the refreshment point before guests arrive.
Prepare one name badge for every registered guest, speaker, guide, and volunteer, with 10–15 blank badges for late registrations and replacements. Keep markers at the reception desk.
For food served during tours or presentations, provide serving platters, trays, tongs, cutting boards, kitchen knives, storage bins, and coolers. Move perishable items into chilled storage as soon as shopping is finished.
Do not leave accessibility and family supplies until the last day. Check that you have children’s chairs, stools, shoe racks, and clear route markers, and keep printed programmes and route sheets at the reception desk.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a mosque open day?: For a two-hour event, plan 2–3 drinks per visitor and food portions for every registered guest, plus 10% extra for walk-ins. Increase the buffer if registration is optional or the programme runs longer than two hours.
How many cups and plates should I buy for an open mosque day?: Provide one cup or glass and one plate per expected visitor, then add at least 10% spare. For 100 visitors, that means at least 110 of each, with extra coffee cups or tea glasses if hot drinks are served continuously.
What should I prepare for the reception desk?: Prepare printed programmes and route information, name badges, pens or markers, and a clear place for registration questions. Have one badge per registered person ready before opening, plus 10–15 blank badges for changes and walk-ins.
When should I buy food for a mosque open day?: Buy non-perishable supplies several days beforehand and purchase fresh products as close to the event as practical, usually within 24 hours. Store chilled items immediately after shopping and keep them cold until serving.

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