What to Buy for a Remembrance Day Ceremony
A Remembrance Day ceremony needs more than chairs and a wreath. Plan the serving equipment for coffee and tea, clear signage, safe lighting, and the items that support speeches and music. Buy or collect perishable groceries the day before, then keep them chilled until setup. This list also covers details people often leave until the last minute, such as candle holders, cable mats, spare extension cords, and enough serving trays for an orderly refreshment table.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Chairsqty 120
- Tablesqty 6
- Clothes racksqty 2
Tableware
- Coffee cupsqty 120
- Platesqty 120
- Tea glassesqty 120
- Dessert platesqty 120
- Teaspoonsqty 120
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Water jugsqty 6
Equipment
- Speakersqty 2
- Microphonesqty 3
- Mixer
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 4
- Cable matsqty 8
- Music player
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 8
- Lanternsqty 6
Decorations
- Memorial wreath
- Dutch flag
- Black ribbonsqty 6
- Candlesqty 120
- Glass candle holdersqty 120
- Table runnersqty 6
Catering
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Serving tongsqty 4
- traysqty 6
- Milk jugsqty 4
- Sugar bowlsqty 4
- Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Cake - 8 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Vegan cookies - 2 packs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Wooden stirring sticks - 150 pieces
- Paper napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Pedal bin bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper hand towels - 6 packs
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Butter - 4 packs
- Jam - 4 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Broom and dustpanqty 2
- Mop headsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 2
- Cleaning clothsqty 12
Tips
- Plan around 2 cups of coffee or tea per guest, plus 10% extra. That gives you enough for late arrivals, speakers, and anyone who wants a refill.
- Use at least 1 serving tray per refreshment table and 1 pair of serving tongs for each platter. Set these out before guests arrive so volunteers are not searching during the ceremony.
- Prepare 2 extension cords and 2 power strips as a minimum for the sound system, coffee machines, kettles, and lighting. Add cable mats wherever a cable crosses a walking route.
- Allow 1 candle holder per candle and keep at least 10% spare candles available. Check the candle arrangement and glass holders before the venue opens, especially if the ceremony is outdoors or in a draughty room.
- Collect the memorial wreath, Dutch flag, black ribbons, printed programs, and route signs no later than the day before. Keep the wreath and printed materials dry, and store chilled groceries in the refrigerator until setup.
Frequently asked questions
- What food and drinks do I need for a Remembrance Day ceremony?
- Plan 2 cups of coffee or tea per person, plus 10% extra. For a one-hour reception, allow about 2 small servings of refreshments per guest and keep milk, sugar, and any dietary alternatives chilled until serving.
- How many chairs and cups do I need for Remembrance Day?
- Provide 1 chair for every seated guest, with at least 5% extra if space allows. For drinks, use 1 cup or tea glass per expected guest plus 10% spare, and add teaspoons, plates, and dessert plates for the planned refreshments.
- When should I buy the Remembrance Day supplies?
- Buy non-perishable items and collect rented equipment 1 to 2 days before the ceremony. Purchase fresh groceries the day before, refrigerate them, and check the sound, lighting, cables, decorations, and printed programs before opening the venue.
- What equipment is needed for speeches and music at Remembrance Day?
- Prepare speakers, microphones, a mixer, and a music player, along with at least 2 extension cords, 2 power strips, and cable mats for walking routes. Test the complete sound system and every microphone before guests arrive.
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