What you need for a New Year's dinner

A New Year's dinner needs more than ingredients: you also need enough plates, glasses, serving dishes and equipment for every course. Use this shopping list alongside your guest count and menu so you do not run short during the evening. Plan tableware for the full guest list, plus a small buffer for breakage or spills. Buy shelf-stable items early, then leave fresh groceries and chilled drinks until the final days.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 30
Tableclothsqty 5

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Deep platesqty 36
Dessert platesqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 30
Dinnerware cutleryqty 36
Wine glassesqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Champagne glassesqty 36

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 8
Soup bowlsqty 4
Carafesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Aluminum foilqty 2

Equipment

Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Portable speaker

Decorations

Napkinsqty 40
Table decorationsqty 5
New Year balloonsqty 30
Buntingqty 6
Candlesqty 30
Candle holdersqty 15

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Washing-up basinsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Pumpkin - 5 kg
- Onions - 2 kg
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Vegetable stock - 6 liters
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 1 kg
- Chicken breast - 5 kg
- Vegetarian main courses - 6 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kg
- Green beans - 3 kg
- Carrots - 3 kg
- Cream for gratin - 5 liters
- Grated cheese - 2 kg
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Thyme - 1 pot
- Rosemary - 1 pot
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mascarpone - 3 kg
- Ladyfingers - 1,5 kg
- Cocoa powder - 300 g
- Granulated sugar - 1 kg
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Strawberries - 3 kg
- Grapes - 2 kg
- Mixed nuts - 1 kg
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Beer - 36 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Champagne - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar cubes - 1 kg
- Lemons - 2 kg
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces

Tips

Count one dinner plate, deep plate and dessert plate per guest, then add 2–3 spare pieces of each. Soup, dessert and extra courses are easy to overlook when checking crockery.
Allow at least 2 glasses per guest for water and wine, plus 1 champagne glass per guest for midnight. Add 10% extra if glasses will be shared between tables or used for refills.
Buy non-perishable ingredients, napkins, foil and decorations 1–2 weeks ahead. Leave vegetables, dairy, bread and other fresh groceries until 1–2 days before dinner.
Plan serving equipment by course: provide at least 1 serving platter or bowl for each shared dish, and 1 serving spoon per dish. Prepare soup bowls and warmers before guests arrive if soup is on the menu.
Chill drinks for at least 6 hours before serving, and prepare coolers with ice before the first guests arrive. Set out carafes, coffee cups, the coffee machine and kettle before dinner so the post-meal rush does not create a bottleneck.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a New Year's dinner?: Plan one dinner plate, deep plate and dessert plate per guest, plus 2–3 spare pieces of each. For glasses, allow at least 2 per guest for water and wine, 1 champagne glass per guest, and roughly 10% extra for breakage or last-minute guests.
When should I buy groceries for a New Year's dinner?: Buy non-perishable ingredients and supplies 1–2 weeks in advance. Buy fresh vegetables, dairy, bread and other chilled groceries 1–2 days before the dinner, depending on their shelf life.
How much champagne do I need for midnight?: Allow one glass per guest for the midnight toast, which is about 750 ml for 6 standard glasses. Buy extra if champagne will also be served before dinner or throughout the evening.
What do I need for serving soup at a New Year's dinner?: Prepare 1 soup bowl and 1 spoon per guest, plus 1–2 spare bowls and at least 1 serving ladle. Keep the soup hot in a suitable warmer and set out serving bowls before guests sit down.

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