What you need for a Nowruz celebration

This Nowruz celebration shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook: enough tableware, separate tea and coffee service, serving pieces and the materials for a complete Haft-seen table. Start with your confirmed guest count, then add 10% extra plates, glasses and cutlery so late confirmations or breakages do not disrupt the meal. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and plan fresh produce and herbs close to the event because they lose quality quickly.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Folding chairs for childrenqty 12

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 90
Glassesqty 120
Tea glassesqty 90
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 110
Knivesqty 110
Spoonsqty 110
Teaspoonsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 18
Serving spoonsqty 18

Decorations

Tablecloth setsqty 12
Haft-seen mirrorsqty 2
Decorative bowlsqty 8
Glass vasesqty 8
Artificial flowersqty 12
Decorative ribbonsqty 6
Paper buntingqty 8
Table runnersqty 10
Name badgesqty 100
Photo backdrop
Candle holdersqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Hot platesqty 2
Kettlesqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20
Serving traysqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati rice - 12 kilograms
- Lentils - 4 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 3 kilograms
- Kidney beans - 2 kilogram
- Spinach - 5 kilograms
- Parsley - 2 kilograms
- Coriander - 1 kilogram
- Dill - 1 kilogram
- Leek - 3 kilograms
- Spring onion - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Eggplants - 4 kilograms
- Zucchini - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Oranges - 25 pieces
- Apples - 25 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Pomegranates - 20 pieces
- Dates - 3 kilogram
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Walnuts - 2 kilograms
- Almonds - 2 kilograms
- Pistachios - 2 kilograms
- Dried apricots - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 8 kilograms
- Feta - 3 kilograms
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Ground beef - 5 kilogram
- Cream - 4 liters
- Butter - 3 kilograms
- Olive oil - 4 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Chicken broth - 8 liters
- Naan bread - 100 pieces
- Lavash bread - 20 packs
- Flour - 3 kilogram
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Honey - 2 kilograms
- Samanu - 3 kilograms
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Saffron - 10 grams
- Sumac - 250 grams
- Dried mint - 250 gram
- Red chili flakes - 250 grams
- Pomegranate molasses - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Cookies - 6 kilograms
- Baklava - 8 kilograms
- Tea - 4 packs
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Sugar cubes - 2 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 40 bottles
- Still water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Buy 10% more dinner plates, dessert plates, soup bowls, glasses and cutlery than your final guest count. For 50 guests, that means planning for 55 place settings rather than exactly 50.
Allow one tea glass and one coffee cup per guest, plus at least 10% spare. Set aside teaspoons separately; they are often the first item to run short at a busy tea station.
Plan two serving platters or bowls for each main buffet dish, or enough capacity to refill without leaving food containers on the guest tables. Count serving spoons as well as plates before shopping.
For the Haft-seen table, gather the decorative bowls, mirror, ribbons, vases and flowers at least one week ahead. Buy or prepare candles and holders early so the display is not assembled from leftover table decorations.
If children are attending, reserve one folding chair for every child who needs one and provide a coat rack with roughly one hook per guest. Charge the Bluetooth speaker and wireless microphone the day before, not on the morning of the celebration.

Frequently asked questions

How much extra tableware should I buy for a Nowruz celebration?: Buy about 10% extra of each frequently used item, including plates, glasses, forks, knives and spoons. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 of each basic item.
What do I need for a Haft-seen table?: Plan for decorative bowls, a mirror, table decoration such as ribbons or flowers, and candle holders. Set everything aside at least 7 days before Nowruz so missing pieces can still be replaced.
How many tea glasses and coffee cups do I need?: Allow one tea glass and one coffee cup per invited guest, plus 10% spare. For 40 guests, prepare at least 44 tea glasses and 44 coffee cups.
When should I buy fresh herbs and vegetables for Nowruz?: Buy fresh herbs and vegetables 1 to 2 days before the celebration, then wash and cut them as close to serving time as practical. Check their condition on the shopping day rather than relying only on the original order.

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