What you need for Neighbour Day

A Neighbour Day gathering needs more than snacks and drinks. Plan for shared food, outdoor serving, coffee, name badges and enough tableware for residents who arrive throughout the day. This shopping list also covers practical items that are easy to overlook, such as cooling packs, food containers, serving utensils and a thermos. Check quantities against your registration list, then add a small buffer for unplanned guests and second helpings.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Folding chairqty 70
Buffet tableqty 3
Bar stoolqty 6
Tableclothqty 10
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner plateqty 75
Dessert plateqty 75
Drinking glassqty 100
Coffee cupqty 50
Coffee spoonqty 50
Forkqty 80
Knifeqty 80
Spoonqty 50
Serving platterqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Soup ladleqty 3

Kitchen

Thermosqty 6
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlqty 5
Cool boxqty 4
Cooling packqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 3
Food storage containerqty 12
Oven mittsqty 2
Kitchen tongsqty 4

Equipment

Portable speakerqty 2
Extension cordqty 4
Power stripqty 3
Microphone
Power bankqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampqty 8
Flashlightqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Flower arrangementqty 6
Name badgeqty 80
Clothes hookqty 20
Program posterqty 6

Sports equipment

Soccerqty 2
Kubb set
Ring toss set
Jump ropeqty 4
Outdoor play matqty 2
Sidewalk chalkqty 6
Board gameqty 8
Colored pencilsqty 12
Coloring bookqty 10
Markerqty 24
Craft paperqty 100

Cleaning

Waste binqty 6
Bucketqty 3
Cleaning gloveqty 6
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Litter pickerqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Water - 60 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 4 packs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomato - 4 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Carrots - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Chicken thigh fillet - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Tzatziki - 6 containers
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Melons - 6 pieces
- Popsicles - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Tompouces - 40 pieces
- Diet cookies - 3 packs
- Vegan cake - 3 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Aluminum trays - 40 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms

Tips

Count one complete place setting per registered guest, then add 10% extra. Include dinner and dessert plates, forks, knives, spoons and drinking glasses so a busy serving table does not run short.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep chilled food and drinks in cool boxes with cooling packs until they are needed.
For a shared buffet, provide at least one serving utensil per dish. Serving platters, tongs and a soup ladle are easy to forget when several neighbours bring food at the same time.
If coffee is served, allow one coffee cup and spoon per expected coffee drinker, plus enough capacity in the coffee maker, kettle and thermos for the first round. Do not leave hot drinks until the last minute; set up 30 minutes before serving.
Buy or gather food storage containers, aluminium foil and a cutting board before shopping day. Prepare sauces, dips and cut vegetables in advance, then keep them covered and cool until the programme starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for Neighbour Day?: For a meal-style gathering, allow about 500 to 700 grams of food per adult, including salads, bread and snacks. Add 10% if registration is informal or guests can arrive without signing up.
How many plates and glasses do I need for Neighbour Day?: Provide one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one drinking glass per registered guest, plus 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each item.
When should I buy fresh food for Neighbour Day?: Buy fresh produce one day before the event where possible, and keep it chilled immediately after shopping. Prepare cut vegetables and dips on the day itself, no more than 4 hours before serving.
How many tables and chairs are needed for a neighbourhood event?: Plan one chair per seated guest and roughly one folding table for every 8 to 10 people for food, registration or activities. Confirm rentals and delivery times at least 7 days before Neighbour Day.

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