What you need for a New Year's drinks reception

A New Year's drinks reception needs more than bottles and snacks. You will need enough glassware for guests who move between wine, beer and highballs, plus serving platters, carafes and tools for opening and preparing food. Plan for chilled storage, hot drinks and a practical coat check before guests arrive. Use this list alongside your guest numbers, dietary information and serving plan so you can buy or reserve everything on time.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 50
Clothing rack
Clothes hangersqty 60
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 60
Beer glassesqty 60
Highball glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Carafesqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Portable speaker
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Decorations

New Year balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 8
Confetti-free table decorationsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3
Mopqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Mint - 4 Bunches
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Party nuts - 5 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Vegetarian snacks - 150 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 150 pieces
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Vegan snacks - 75 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan spreads - 4 tubs
- Brownies - 60
- Mini pastries - 60 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Allow at least 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Include wine glasses, beer glasses and highball glasses rather than expecting one type of glass to cover every drink.
Count servingware separately from guest tableware. For a buffet, prepare at least one serving platter and one pair of serving tongs for each substantial dish, with extra plates, dessert plates and cutlery sets for second servings.
Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive, not just when setup begins. Use coolers for overflow and keep carafes available for water or other drinks that do not need to stay in bottles.
Plan the coffee and tea station before the reception starts: provide one coffee cup per expected drinker, and have both a coffee machine and kettle ready if guests will serve themselves. Thermos flasks help keep hot drinks available during the evening.
Do not leave the coat check and lighting until the last minute. Set up the clothing rack with enough hangers for winter coats, then test string lights, power strips and extension cords before the room fills up. Remember to use confetti-free table decorations for easier cleanup.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a New Year's drinks reception?: Plan for about 2 glasses per guest if you will collect and wash them during the event, or 3 per guest for a larger buffer. Include the types you will serve, such as wine, beer and highballs, rather than buying only one style.
How much food should I buy for a drinks reception?: For a reception lasting around 2–3 hours, allow roughly 6–8 small bites per person, with more if it replaces a meal. Confirm dietary requirements before finalising quantities and mark suitable dishes separately on the buffet.
When should I chill drinks for New Year's Eve?: Refrigerate drinks at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive. Put remaining bottles in coolers during setup so the refrigerator is not opened repeatedly and drinks stay cold throughout the reception.
What do I need for a self-service coffee and tea station?: Provide a coffee machine, kettle, coffee cups, thermos flasks and a clear serving area. Set it up at least 30 minutes before guests arrive, allowing time to fill the equipment and check that power strips and extension cords are safely placed.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.