What to buy for a Purim festival

A Purim festival needs more than hamantaschen and costumes. Plan food and drinks for the full guest count, then check that you have enough reusable plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and serving equipment for one busy buffet period. Coffee, tea and chilled drinks need separate preparation, while costume accessories, decorations and game materials should be ready before guests arrive. This list also covers the practical equipment that is easy to overlook, including extension cords, audio cables, coat racks and a microphone stand.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Coat racksqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Pliersqty 6

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Audio cablesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4

Decorations

Purim postersqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 10
Tableclothsqty 8
Paper confettiqty 6
Costume accessoriesqty 30

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6

Game materials

Bingo cardsqty 60
Bingo cage
Prizesqty 20
Colored pencilsqty 30
Coloring pagesqty 60
Table playing cardsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Poppy seed hamantaschen - 60 pieces
- Chocolate hamantaschen - 60 pieces
- Falafel - 4 kilograms
- Pita breads - 70 pieces
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt sauce - 2 liters
- Tahini sauce - 1 liter
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Feta cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Couscous - 3 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Vegetable broth - 3 liters
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salty pretzels - 5 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemon tea - 2 boxes
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 3 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one additional drink per person for each following hour. Include separate quantities for coffee and tea rather than assuming the drinks table will cover both.
For a buffet, provide at least one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. Serving spoons and trays should be counted separately so guests do not need to use eating utensils for shared dishes.
Chill drinks at least 4 hours before opening if possible, using coolers or another cold-storage option. Keep a separate supply for volunteers and speakers so the main drinks table does not run short.
Prepare costume accessories and clothing materials in clearly labelled groups at least 30 minutes before the room opens. This leaves time to deal with missing pieces before the costume contest or activities begin.
Test the speakers, microphone, stand, audio cables and extension cords at least 60 minutes before guests arrive. Put the microphone and cables where the Purim story will take place, not behind the buffet or tables.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Purim festival?: Plan portions for every registered guest and add 10% for late additions, seconds and volunteers. For drinks, use two to three per person for the first hour, then one per person for each additional hour.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets should I buy for Purim?: Provide one complete place setting per guest plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 plates, bowls, cups and cutlery sets, unless you have a washing-up plan during the event.
When should I buy or pick up hamantaschen?: Arrange the pickup no later than the day before the festival if they need to be collected. Keep them covered and serve them on trays rather than leaving the full supply open on the buffet.
What should I prepare for the Purim story and costume contest?: Have the microphone, speaker, stand, audio cables and extension cords tested at least 60 minutes before opening. Put costume accessories and any contest materials out 30 minutes before guests arrive, with a separate area for changing or storing coats.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.