What to Buy for a New Year's Party

A New Year's party needs more than drinks and snacks. Plan the shopping around your final guest count, then cover serving dishes, tableware, coffee supplies, lighting and cleanup materials before the last week. Chill drinks and collect shelf-stable supplies before the party day, so you are not making emergency trips at midnight. Use this list alongside your guest registrations and dietary requirements to avoid running short or leaving people guessing what they can eat.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Glassesqty 70
Cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 10
Tableclothsqty 6
New Year's decorationsqty 8
Confetti cannonsqty 10
Candlesqty 24

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice and cool boxesqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Standing lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Oliebollen - 60 pieces
- Apple fritters - 30 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Party nuts - 4 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian meatballs - 60 pieces
- Cocktail sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 5 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Buy drinks in two rounds: shelf-stable supplies and unopened bottles can be collected early, while chilled drinks and ice should be handled on the day or the evening before. Allow space in the refrigerators before chilling everything.
Count tableware for every guest, then add at least 10% extra plates, dessert plates, glasses, cups and cutlery. Buffet food also needs enough serving platters and utensils to keep each dish separate.
Plan the coffee and tea station separately from the drinks table. Set out coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks, and check that you have enough cups, milk, sugar and waste space for the final hour of the party.
Do not leave lighting and power equipment until setup time. Test speakers, the mixer and microphone before guests arrive, and check that extension cords and power strips reach the music and lighting positions safely.
Prepare for coats, rubbish and late-night cleanup before decorating. Put coat racks and waste bins where guests can find them, and keep tablecloths, cutting boards and kitchen knives ready for snack preparation and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a New Year's party?: For the first hour, plan on two to three drinks per guest. After that, allow roughly one drink per person per hour, then add extra soft drinks and water for guests who are driving or not drinking alcohol.
How much tableware should I buy for a New Year's party?: Provide one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item that may be reused during the evening.
When should I buy drinks and ice for New Year's Eve?: Buy unopened and shelf-stable drinks several days in advance. Pick up ice and chillable drinks no earlier than 24 hours before the party, unless you have enough refrigerator or cool-box capacity.
What do I need for a New Year's party coffee station?: Set up one coffee machine or kettle for each serving point, plus cups, thermos flasks and enough coffee or tea for the final two to three hours. Keep the station separate from the buffet so queues do not block food service.

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