What you need for Neighbour Day

A Neighbour Day gathering needs more than food and drinks. Plan for shared tables, seating, servingware, cooking equipment, coffee, cooling and a reliable way to power the setup. Start shopping once registrations give you a realistic headcount, then check dietary requirements before buying ingredients. Borrow or reserve larger items early, especially party tents, tables, chairs, toilets and power access.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 10
Foldable tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 90
Bar stoolsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable bowlsqty 80
Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Knivesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Scissorsqty 6

Kitchen

Barbecueqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Long lightersqty 4

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 150
Tableclothsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 100
Chalkboardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Markersqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Basketballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 6
Conesqty 20
Hula hoopsqty 8
Gamesqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 10 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 110 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Garlic bread - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 50 pieces
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 6 kilograms
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Fried onions - 3 bags
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Cheddar slices - 150 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for the full confirmed guest list, plus a small buffer of about 10% for dropped or misplaced items. Include serving spoons and platters so food can be served without using personal utensils.
For a barbecue or shared meal, prepare separate cutting boards, chef’s knives and mixing bowls for food preparation. Keep barbecue tongs separate from serving utensils, particularly when dietary requirements include vegetarian or allergy-safe food.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Reserve coolers early and label a separate area for chilled food if the event runs outdoors.
Coffee service is easy to underestimate: plan one coffee cup per expected drink at a time, with spare cups, and provide enough thermos flasks or coffee machines for the busiest serving period. Check that kettles and coffee machines can run safely from the available power supply.
Check the site plan before collecting equipment. Party tents, tables, chairs, active speakers, a microphone and extension cords need space, weather cover and safe cable routes; test the power and sound setup before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What food and serving equipment do I need for Neighbour Day?: Buy or borrow reusable plates, bowls, cups, coffee cups, knives, forks and spoons for the confirmed visitor list, with roughly 10% extra. For shared food, add serving spoons, serving platters, mixing bowls, cutting boards and chef’s knives.
How many drinks should I buy for Neighbour Day?: Use two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for every following hour. Add extra water for warm weather and keep chilled supplies in coolers rather than relying on a household refrigerator.
How early should I arrange tents, tables and chairs for Neighbour Day?: Reserve party tents, tables and chairs as soon as the date and location are confirmed, ideally at least 2–4 weeks before the event. Check the final visitor list again before confirming quantities and create a floor plan before collection or delivery.
What should I check before buying food for Neighbour Day?: Collect dietary requirements before shopping and review them again against the final visitor list. Complete the main shopping at least 1–2 days before the event, then check groceries and prepare snacks close enough to serving time to keep them fresh.

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