What to Buy for National Veterans Day

A National Veterans Day event usually combines a formal programme, guest registration, refreshments, and a memorial element. Your shopping list needs to cover more than food: plan for seating, printed materials, serving equipment, drinks service, and reliable audio. Confirm guest numbers and dietary requirements before placing catering orders. Buy or collect non-perishable supplies several days ahead, then chill drinks and prepare snacks on the day of the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 120
High tablesqty 8
Clothing tableqty 2
Registration deskqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 18
Chair coversqty 120

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 130
Dessert platesqty 130
Coffee cupsqty 130
Water glassesqty 150
Wine glassesqty 130
Coffee spoonsqty 130
Dinner cutleryqty 140
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 8
Cable traysqty 10

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Mood lightingqty 6
LED candlesqty 24

Decorations

Dutch flagsqty 8
Flag standsqty 6
Veterans postersqty 12
Memorial plaque
Flower vasesqty 6
Name badgesqty 130
Pensqty 30
Program leafletsqty 140
Name badge holdersqty 130
Mourning ribbonsqty 4

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 8
Water jugsqty 12
Ice cube traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 12
Aluminum traysqty 20
Food storage containersqty 20
Serving traysqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 liters
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cream - 6 packs
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 3 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Bubbles - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Mixed lettuce - 12 bags
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 3 loaves
- Cheese - 6 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 3 kilos
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 3 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Soup - 20 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 6 litres
- Gluten-free soup - 3 liters
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Vegetable mix - 12 kilos
- Chicken breast - 12 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 20 pieces
- Gravy - 8 liters
- Apple pie - 8 pies
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Cake - 8 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted nuts - 5 kilos
- Olives - 4 kilos
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 100 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Tea towels - 20 pieces
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Matches - 4 boxes
- Flowers - 6 bouquets

Tips

Plan tableware for the final guest count, plus at least 10% extra plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery. This prevents shortages when items are misplaced or used more than once.
For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep water glasses and coolers separate from the main serving area.
Set aside a registration table with name badges, printed programmes, and pens before guests arrive. Prepare at least 10% more badges and programmes than the number of confirmed registrations.
Check the memorial flowers and catering delivery at least 24 hours in advance. Flowers arranged for the memorial and dietary requirements are among the items that are hardest to replace at short notice.
Test microphones, speakers, the mixer, laptop, projector, and extension cords before opening the venue. Bring enough cable trays and power strips to keep walkways clear rather than running cables across entrances.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a National Veterans Day event?: Plan for seating and tables, tablecloths, dinner and dessert plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, serving platters, and tongs. You may also need coffee equipment, coolers, flowers, printed programmes, name badges, and audio-visual equipment.
How many drinks do I need for National Veterans Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every later hour. Add extra water and non-alcoholic options if the programme lasts several hours or includes older guests.
How many plates and glasses should I buy per guest?: Use one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass, and one cup per guest as a starting point. Add at least 10% extra for breakage, second servings, and replacements during the event.
When should I order flowers and catering for Veterans Day?: Confirm catering and memorial flowers at least 7 days before the event, once registrations and dietary requirements are clear. Check both deliveries again 24 hours before opening the venue.

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