What to buy for a New Year’s barbecue

A New Year’s barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. You will be cooking outdoors in winter, serving food buffet-style and keeping guests comfortable around midnight. Use the guest count to scale food, drinks, plates and glasses, then check the gas barbecue, cylinders, coolers and lighting before you shop. The items below cover the things hosts most often forget, especially hot drinks, serving equipment and protection from cold or wet weather.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Stoolsqty 6

Equipment

Gas barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue spatulasqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 50
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving jugsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
New Year balloonsqty 30
Buntingqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 50 pieces
- Pork chops - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Garlic butter - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 7 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Corn - 20 ears
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Barbecue seasoning - 1 jar
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Ice cream - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Barbecue firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Allow around 250–350 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, plus salads, bread and sauces. Set aside vegetarian portions before marinating or cooking the meat.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add coffee, tea and hot water for after dinner, using the coffee maker and kettle.
Check the barbecue gas cylinders several days before New Year’s Eve, not on the afternoon itself. Keep at least one usable spare cylinder available if the barbecue will run for several hours.
Buy or gather one plate, one bowl, one cutlery set and one glass per guest, plus roughly 10% extra. Buffet tables also need serving platters, serving tongs and serving jugs.
Cold, darkness and rain change what you need outdoors. Arrange party tents, tablecloths, lighting, extension cords and power strips before shopping, and test the lighting and speaker before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a New Year’s barbecue?: Allow 250–350 g of barbecue food per adult, depending on how many salads, bread and side dishes you serve. Add at least one vegetarian portion for every guest who has requested one, rather than relying on leftovers from the meat dishes.
How many drinks should I buy for a New Year’s barbecue?: Budget two to three drinks per guest for the first hour and one per guest for each following hour. For a four-hour event, that means roughly five to six drinks per person, including non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Buy one plate, bowl, cutlery set and glass per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage, dropped items or guests who want a clean plate. For 20 guests, that is 22 of each basic item.
When should I check the gas barbecue and weather supplies?: Check the weather forecast and gas cylinders at least three days before the event, then make a final check on the morning itself. Set up tents, tables, lighting and the barbecue several hours before guests arrive so problems can still be fixed.

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