What to Buy for a Rosh Hashanah Celebration

A Rosh Hashanah celebration needs more than apples, honey, and a festive meal. Plan the shopping around your guest count, the service format, and whether food is served at tables or from a buffet. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late: enough serving ware, prayer materials, drink equipment, and cold-storage space. Use your final guest list and dietary overview to confirm quantities before buying fresh food.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Soup bowlsqty 70
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Knivesqty 70
Forksqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Dessert serving traysqty 6
Carafesqty 10
Kiddush cupsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's bread knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Pliersqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Corkscrewqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Decorative applesqty 12
Menorahsqty 4

Lighting

Table lampsqty 8

Paper goods

Machzorimqty 70
Program cardsqty 70
Name badgesqty 70
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 4
Donation box

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Honey - 3 jars
- Pomegranates - 35 pieces
- Dates - 2 kilogram
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Figs - 1 kilogram
- Peaches - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Oranges - 4 kilograms
- Challah - 8 pieces
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Whole wheat bread - 5 loaves
- Pita bread - 40 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Tahini - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Grape juice - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Rood - 30 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liter
- Vegetable broth - 3 liters
- Chicken soup - 8 liters
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Onions - 4 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Celery - 3 stalks
- Leeks - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Sweet potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Pumpkin - 5 kilogram
- Green beans - 5 kilograms
- Broccoli - 4 kilograms
- Spinach - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Chicken drumsticks - 10 kilogram
- Braised beef - 8 kilogram
- Salmon fillet - 6 kilograms
- Lentils - 3 kilogram
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Rice - 6 kilogram
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Flour - 3 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilograms
- Brown sugar - 2 kilogram
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Whipping cream - 4 liters
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Cumin - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Turmeric - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Parsley - 8 bunches
- Coriander - 6 bunches
- Dill - 4 bunches
- Walnuts - 2 kilograms
- Almonds - 2 kilograms
- Pine nuts - 500 grams
- Breadcrumbs - 2 packs
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Red wine vinegar - 1 bottle
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 bottle
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Tealights - 40 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces

Tips

Buy or prepare at least 2 dinner plates, 1 dessert plate, and 1 soup bowl per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage, seconds, or late arrivals.
For drinks, allow 2–3 glasses per person during the first hour, then about 1 glass per person per hour. Plan separate water glasses and wine glasses rather than relying on one type.
Order disposable or rented tableware at least 7 days before the celebration. Include serving spoons, platters, dessert trays, carafes, and kiddush cups; these are easy to overlook when counting place settings.
Do the non-perishable shopping 3–5 days ahead, but leave fresh fruit, bread, and other chilled ingredients for the final 1–2 days. Clear the cold-storage area before those items arrive.
Check the program and prayer needs before printing. Have one machzor or prayer sheet for each participant who needs one, plus 5–10% spare copies, and test coffee machines, kettles, warmers, and extension cords before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Rosh Hashanah celebration?: Plan one complete place setting per registered guest and add 10% extra. For a meal with soup and dessert, that means one dinner plate, one soup bowl, one dessert plate, a knife, fork, spoon, and drinking glasses per person, plus the serving pieces.
How many drinks should I buy for Rosh Hashanah?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per guest, then about 1 drink per person per additional hour. Keep water available throughout, and count wine separately if it is served for kiddush or with the meal.
When should I buy food for a Rosh Hashanah celebration?: Buy non-perishable items 3–5 days in advance. Purchase fresh and chilled food 1–2 days before the event, after confirming the final guest count and dietary requirements.
How many prayer sheets or machzorim do I need?: Prepare one copy for every participant who needs one, then print or obtain 5–10% extra. Check the machzorim and prayer sheets at least 3 days before the celebration so missing copies can still be replaced.

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