What you need for a Samhain celebration

A Samhain celebration needs more than food and decorations. Plan for a warm meal, a memorial moment, storytelling, candles and enough equipment for serving and clearing up. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from soup bowls and food warmers to coat storage and a microphone. Adjust quantities to your final guest list, then check what you already have before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Chairqty 70
Coat rackqty 2
Stoolqty 6

Tableware

Dinner plateqty 75
Dessert plateqty 75
Soup bowlqty 75
Water glassqty 90
Wine glassqty 75
Coffee cupqty 60
Coffee spoonqty 60
Table knifeqty 75
Table forkqty 75
Soup and dessert spoonqty 75

Kitchen

Soup kettleqty 2
Food warmerqty 4
Serving platterqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonqty 8
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlqty 6
Cool boxqty 4
Thermosqty 6
Water jugqty 6

Equipment

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Portable speakerqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordqty 6
Power stripqty 4

Decorations

Autumn leavesqty 8
Pumpkinqty 15
Gourdqty 10
Fabric table runnerqty 8
Black drapesqty 8
Orange garlandqty 10
Artificial spider websqty 4
Memorial bowlqty 2
Chalkboardqty 3
Name badgeqty 75

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
LED lanternqty 12
LED tealightqty 60
Table lampqty 6

Ritual

Ceremonial staffqty 2
Singing bowl
Memorial cardqty 75
Writing pensqty 20
Fireproof dishqty 2
Fire pit
Lighterqty 4
Bucketqty 4
Fire blanketqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binqty 6
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Cleaning bucketqty 3
Dish brushqty 4
Towelqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Pumpkin - 12 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Leeks - 1,5 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Pears - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh ginger - 300 grams
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Fresh sage - 4 bunches
- Fresh thyme - 4 bunches
- Vegetable stock - 10 liters
- Coconut milk - 8 liters
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Cumin - 150 gram
- Cinnamon - 150 grams
- Nutmeg - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 150 grams
- Dried chili flakes - 100 gram
- Wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 3 loaves
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1,5 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Vegan cheese - 750 grams
- Grape jam - 6 jars
- Apple syrup - 4 jars
- Figs - 1.5 kilogram
- Walnuts - 1 kilogram
- Almonds - 1 kilogram
- Pumpkin seeds - 750 grams
- Raisins - 750 gram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Pumpkin pie - 6 pies
- Apple cake - 5 cakes
- Vegan chocolate cake - 3 cakes
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla sauce - 3 liter
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 4 boxes
- Chai tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 4 jars
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Grape juice - 10 liters
- Herbal lemonade - 8 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Warm apple juice - 8 liters
- Spices for apple juice - 4 bags
- Firewood - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, soup bowl, dessert plate, water glass, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage or items left in use. Add one wine glass per guest only if wine is part of the program.
For a soup-based meal, allow 400–500 ml of soup per person, plus 2–3 bread portions and 3–4 snack portions each. Keep fresh produce in a cool box until preparation, especially if shopping happens several hours before cooking.
Count seating before guests arrive: one chair per registered guest, with stools only as a planned backup. A coat rack is easy to forget in autumn, so arrange one before the final reminder goes out.
Use a soup kettle or food warmer so the meal stays hot while the memorial moment and storytelling take place. Prepare serving platters, tongs and serving spoons at the same time; otherwise food is ready before it can be served.
Check candles, the portable speaker and microphone at least one day ahead. Bring a thermos and kettle for hot drinks, and keep table decorations away from open flames and the serving area.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Samhain celebration?: Allow 400–500 ml of soup per person, 2–3 portions of bread and 3–4 snack portions each. For dessert, plan one portion per guest plus 10% extra.
How many plates and glasses should I buy for Samhain?: Buy one of each required plate, bowl and glass per guest, then add about 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each frequently used item where possible.
When should I shop for a Samhain celebration?: Buy tableware, candles and equipment at least 3–5 days before the event. Shop for fresh vegetables 1–2 days ahead and keep them cool until washing and preparation.
What do people often forget for a Samhain gathering?: Coat storage, soup serving equipment, spare cutlery, hot-drink equipment and a microphone are commonly missed. Check these at least 24 hours before guests arrive, along with candles and the speaker.

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