What to buy for a New Year's picnic

A New Year's picnic needs more than food and a few blankets. You will need warm drinks, cold storage, serving equipment, outdoor lighting and a safe way to keep guests comfortable after dark. Use your final guest count to calculate portions, then check what can be borrowed or rented before shopping. This list also helps you avoid the items people often remember too late, such as fuel, extension cords, mugs and enough seating.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Folding benchesqty 6
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable glassesqty 70
Coffee mugsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Outdoor heatersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Outdoor lanternsqty 8
LED candlesqty 20

Decorations

New Year bannersqty 4
Table decorationsqty 6

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 2
First aid kit

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Bread basketsqty 4
Food containersqty 12
Corkscrewsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Recycling binsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 5 loaves
- Wraps - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 750 grams
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Avocados - 10 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Lentils - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Mini pastries - 60 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Beer - 96 cans
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Recycling bags - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Add extra water and keep at least one cooler for drinks rather than using all the cold space for food.
For a picnic lasting three to four hours, allow one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. Pack serving platters and serving utensils separately so they do not get mixed up with personal tableware.
Buy or prepare food that can be served cold, and allow roughly 250–350 g of savoury food per adult before dessert. Wash fruit and vegetables before leaving, and bring cutting boards only if anything still needs to be prepared on site.
Count tables, benches and chairs against the final guest list before collection day. Bring at least one picnic blanket for every four people who may sit on the ground, rather than waiting to see whether the grass is dry.
Check heaters, gas cylinders, lights and power equipment at least one day before the picnic. Pack extension cords, power strips, fire extinguishers and a first aid kit together; these are easy to overlook when shopping focuses on food.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a New Year's picnic?: For a three- to four-hour picnic, plan about 250–350 g of savoury food per adult, plus 1–2 dessert portions. Add 10% extra if guests cannot easily buy food nearby.
How many drinks should I buy for a New Year's picnic?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for each additional hour. Include water and hot drinks, and chill beverages at least 4–6 hours before serving.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a picnic?: Buy or pack one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each reusable item where practical.
When should I prepare the shopping for a New Year's picnic?: Check stock and reserve rental items about one week beforehand, then do the main shopping 1–2 days before the event. Buy fresh fruit, vegetables and ice as late as practical, and chill drinks the day before.

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