What to Buy for a New Year’s Brunch

A New Year’s brunch needs more than bread, eggs and coffee. You’ll need enough tableware for the full guest list, serving dishes for a buffet, equipment to keep hot food warm and chilled drinks cold, plus supplies for preparing and covering food. Buy non-perishables first, then fresh groceries close to the brunch. Use this checklist alongside your menu and guest numbers so dietary requirements, coffee service and extra seating are not left until New Year’s Eve.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Pastry platesqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Wine glassesqty 36
Cutlery setsqty 36
Serving bowlsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee spoonsqty 36

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Kitchen tweezersqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 5
Napkin holdersqty 5
New Year balloonsqty 30
Buntingqty 4
Vasesqty 5
Table decorationsqty 5
Place cardsqty 32

Lighting

LED light garlandsqty 3
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Vacuum cleaner
Mop set
Cleaning glovesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Bake-off rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 3 loaves
- Croissants - 24 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Apricot jam - 1 jar
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Chocolate sprinkles - 1 pack
- Honey - 1 jar
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 750 grams
- Hummus - 750 gram
- Eggs - 36 pieces
- Bacon - 1,5 kilogram
- Vegetarian sausages - 24 units
- Baby potatoes - 3 kilograms
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Red bell pepper - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Mixed lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Red onion - 4 pieces
- Fresh chives - 4 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 3 bunches
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Berry mix - 1.5 kilograms
- Muesli - 1 kilogram
- Plain yogurt - 3 kilograms
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whole milk - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Oatmeal - 1 kilogram
- Flour - 1 kilogram
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Honey mustard sauce - 1 bottle
- Cream - 1 liter
- Whipped cream - 3 cans
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Chocolate cake - 2 cakes
- Paper straws - 50 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces

Tips

Count plates, cups, glasses and cutlery for every invited guest, then add 10% to cover dropped items and seconds. Include pastry plates and coffee spoons; these are easy to overlook when setting a brunch table.
Plan drinks by service rather than by bottle type: allow roughly two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then add water, coffee and tea for the rest of the meal. Chill drinks at least 12 hours before serving if refrigerator space is limited.
Buy non-perishable items, foil and cling film several days ahead. Leave bread, pastries, fruit, salad ingredients and other fresh groceries until one or two days before the brunch.
A buffet needs more than plates: provide serving bowls, platters and tongs for each main dish, plus hot trays for warm food. Set aside separate utensils for salads, pastries and dishes containing common allergens.
Check equipment before shopping day: coffee machines, kettles, coolers and extension cords must match the venue’s power and space. Arrange tables, chairs and coat racks before the event if they are not already available.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a New Year’s brunch?: For a substantial brunch, plan around 400–600 g of food per adult across bread, pastries, fruit, salads, eggs and hot dishes. Add 10–15% when guests arrive hungry or the brunch replaces lunch.
How many drinks should I buy for a New Year’s brunch?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per additional hour. Add water, coffee and tea separately, and chill bottled or canned drinks at least 12 hours ahead.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Provide one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one water glass, one wine glass if wine is served, and one complete cutlery set per guest. Add roughly 10% extra, so 22 place settings cover 20 guests.
When should I buy fresh food for New Year’s brunch?: Buy fresh bread, pastries, fruit, salad ingredients and other chilled groceries one or two days before the brunch. Prepare items such as washed fruit, salads and boiled eggs as close to serving time as practical, usually the day before or the morning itself.

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