What to buy for a New Year's quiz

A New Year's quiz needs more than questions and a laptop. You will need drinks for the arrival period, buffet and coffee supplies, serving items, printed quiz materials, and a few technical essentials. Plan quantities around your guest count, then add a small margin for spills, missing glasses, and late arrivals. Buy non-perishable items several days ahead and chill drinks on the day of the quiz.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 48
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 60
Reusable coffee cupsqty 45
Platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 10
Soup ladlesqty 3

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
HDMI cableqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Wireless presentation remote
Kitchen timerqty 2

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3

Decorations

New Year balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 6
Team badgesqty 8
Prize trophiesqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Waste binsqty 3
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 1 kilogram
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cocoa Powder - 1 canister
- Still mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Ginger beer - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Pilsner - 36 bottles
- Dry White Wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini rolls - 60 pcs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young aged cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 750 grams
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Vegetable soup - 6 liters
- Tomato soup - 6 liters
- Croutons - 3 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Mini cookies - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Freezer bags - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Tea towels - 12 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each following hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options rather than relying only on alcoholic drinks.
Plan one plate, drinking glass, cutlery set, and coffee cup per guest, plus roughly 10% extra. Extra tableware is useful when items are misplaced or guests return for a second plate.
For a buffet, provide at least one serving utensil for each dish, including serving platters, bowls, soup ladles, and bread knives. Set these out before guests arrive so food is not served with personal cutlery.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, speaker, microphone, HDMI cable, presentation remote, and power connections at least 60 minutes before the quiz starts. Keep extension cords and power strips accessible but out of walkways.
Print quiz forms, answer sheets, team assignments, and tie-break materials before the event day. Wrap prizes and keep them with the quiz materials so they are not forgotten when the venue is opened.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a New Year's quiz?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person. After that, plan for about one drink per person per hour, with water and non-alcoholic drinks included.
How much tableware should I buy for a quiz night?: Provide one drinking glass, plate, cutlery set, and coffee cup per guest, then add around 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means planning for about 33 of each reusable item.
When should I buy supplies for a New Year's quiz?: Buy decorations, printed materials, prizes, and non-perishable buffet supplies at least 3 to 5 days ahead. Buy fresh food closer to the event and chill drinks on the day itself.
What equipment do I need for a quiz with a presentation?: You need a laptop, projector, projection screen, HDMI cable, speaker, microphone, presentation remote, extension cords, and power strips. Test every connection at least 60 minutes before guests arrive.

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