New Year’s Party Shopping List

A New Year’s party needs more than drinks and snacks. Plan what guests will eat from, where coats and gifts will go, and how music will reach the whole room. This checklist covers reusable plates, bowls, glasses, serving items, coolers, table furniture, decorations and audio equipment. Use your final guest count to adjust quantities, then buy or borrow the less obvious items—such as extension cords, waste bins and children’s chairs—at least a few days before the party.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 55
Coat racksqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 4
Children's chairsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 15
Pitcherqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon standsqty 4
New Year flagsqty 3
Confetti-free table decorationsqty 10
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Speaker standsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 3
Ice packsqty 12

Cleaning

Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lightsqty 4

Sports equipment

Game cardsqty 4
Board gamesqty 8
Colored pencil setsqty 6
Sketchpadsqty 10
Balloon gamesqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Mini sausages - 4 kilos
- Puff pastry snacks - 6 boxes
- Mini quiches - 5 boxes
- Vegetarian snacks - 5 boxes
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Chocolate - 3 kilos
- Oliebollen - 80 pieces
- Apple fritters - 40 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per hour after that. Chill the first batch in coolers before guests arrive and keep spare drinks accessible throughout the evening.
Count one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add small bowls and serving spoons for snacks, sauces and shared dishes so people are not serving from cooking containers.
Provide one waste bin for every 20 to 25 guests and place them near the food and drinks. Add a separate, clearly visible place for coats; missing this is one of the first practical problems when the room fills up.
Test the Bluetooth speakers, microphone and speaker stands before decorating. Keep extension cords and power strips available, and tape or cover cables so guests cannot trip over them during the countdown.
Buy or prepare decorations early enough to check that they fit the room. Use confetti-free table decorations, and assemble the photo backdrop and props before guests arrive rather than during the busiest part of the evening.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a New Year’s party?: Plan drinks, snacks, servingware, table coverings, decorations, waste bins and audio equipment. For each guest, allow one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set, plus 10% spare items.
How many drinks do I need for a New Year’s Eve party?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by roughly one drink per person per hour. Buy a mix of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options and chill the first supply at least 3 hours before guests arrive.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a party?: Start with one plate and one glass per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages, spills and replacements. If guests will eat several snack courses, provide bowls as well as plates.
When should I buy New Year’s party supplies?: Buy reusable tableware, furniture and decorations at least 1 week ahead. Shop for fresh food and final drinks 1 to 2 days before the party, then prepare sliced fruit, vegetables and sauces on the day itself.

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