What to Buy for a New Year’s Eve Party

A New Year’s Eve party needs more than snacks and a few bottles of drinks. Plan purchases around your final guest count, including plates, glasses, cutlery, serving dishes, ice and supplies for coffee and tea. Drinks should be chilled before guests arrive, while fruit, vegetables, snacks and desserts need separate preparation time. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late, such as extension cords, lighting, coat storage and clearly marked dietary meals.

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
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Carafesqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Balloon standsqty 4
Buntingqty 8
Confettiqty 4
New Year songsqty 2
Photo backdrop

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10
Tealight holdersqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving tongsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Salami - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Chicken satay - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian snacks - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Brownies - 60
- Mini oliebols - 100 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Cocktail picks - 3 boxes
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan around the confirmed guest count, then add roughly 10% extra plates, glasses and cutlery so a dropped item does not disrupt the evening.
Buy or chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep coolers ready and prepare enough ice for serving drinks as well as keeping bottles cold.
Set aside separate plates, serving utensils and labels for dietary meals before arranging the buffet. This prevents guests from having to ask which dishes are suitable.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, power strips and extension cords at least 2 hours before the party. Keep cables away from walkways and check that string lights and LED lamps work.
Prepare a coat area before the first invitation time, especially if several guests arrive together. Check the toilets once before arrival and restock them during the evening rather than waiting until supplies run out.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a New Year’s Eve party?: For a party lasting several hours, plan about 6–8 snack portions per guest, plus dessert. If the party replaces dinner, increase this to roughly 10–12 savoury portions per person and include at least one filling dish.
How many drinks do I need for New Year’s Eve?: Use 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 drink per person for each following hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options for the full guest count, not only for guests who request them in advance.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a party?: Provide one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one drinking glass and one set of cutlery per guest, plus around 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each frequently used item.
When should I shop for a New Year’s Eve party?: Buy shelf-stable food, decorations and tableware 3–7 days beforehand. Pick up fresh produce 1–2 days before, and collect drinks and ice on the day itself so they are cold and ready when guests arrive.

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.