What to buy for a school anniversary

A school anniversary needs more than food and decorations. You will need enough seating and serving equipment, a clear registration setup, reliable audio gear and practical supplies for activities, certificates and waste collection. Use the quantities in your plan as your starting point, then add a small reserve for extra guests and breakages. Check venue restrictions, power access and delivery times before placing orders, especially for tents, tables, chairs and sound equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 160
Buffet tablesqty 6
Registration desk
Bar stoolsqty 8
Waste binsqty 12
Coat racksqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 180
Dessert platesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 120
Water glassesqty 220
Wine glassesqty 120
Mugsqty 80
Forksqty 200
Knivesqty 200
Spoonsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving traysqty 18
Coffee potsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Laptopsqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Camera

Decorations

Balloonsqty 300
Balloon archesqty 3
Buntingqty 20
Pennant stringsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 24
Name labelsqty 180
Wayfinding signsqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo booth accessoriesqty 30
School photosqty 60
Anniversary postersqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Basketballsqty 4
Conesqty 30
Hoopsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 12
Trash bagsqty 10
Water balloonsqty 200
Sidewalk chalkqty 12
Board gamesqty 10
Craft kitsqty 12
Trophiesqty 20
Medal ribbonsqty 30

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Pliersqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Serving plattersqty 20
Ice packsqty 24

Cleaning

Cleaning glovesqty 12
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Paper towel dispensersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multi-fruit juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Party snacks - 4 kilos
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 5 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Mixed lettuce - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 240 pieces
- Wraps - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian spreads - 12 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 3 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Chicken skewers - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian skewers - 4 kilos
- Hamburger buns - 180 pieces
- Hamburgers - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Veggie hot dogs - 30 pieces
- Potato salad - 12 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Crudités Salad - 8 kilo
- Dessert cake - 12 pieces
- Ice lollies - 240 pieces
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Chocolate bars - 120 pieces
- Candy bags - 180 pieces
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 3 packs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Organic Waste Bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Food containers - 40 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 packs

Tips

Count every guest-facing item by person before shopping: dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives, spoons and water glasses should cover the full registered attendance, plus 5–10% spare.
Reserve larger equipment early. Party tents, folding tables, folding chairs, buffet tables and audio equipment are often limited, so confirm availability at least 2–4 weeks before the anniversary.
Plan drinks by service point, not only by guest count. Match coffee cups, mugs, water glasses, wine glasses, coffee pots, thermos flasks and coolers to the number of stations and expected serving times.
Keep event-day materials together in labelled boxes: name labels, printed programme materials, certificates, prizes, serving spoons and trays. Prepare them at least 1 day ahead so volunteers are not shopping during setup.
Check the technical kit as one system before the event: speakers, microphones, mixer, speaker stands, extension cords and power strips must work together, with enough cable length and safe access to power outlets.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a school anniversary?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one fork, one knife, one spoon and one water glass per registered guest. Add 5–10% spare, and increase the number of glasses if guests will move between separate drink stations.
When should I order tents, tables and chairs for a school anniversary?: Reserve them 2–4 weeks before the event, or earlier for a large school gathering. Confirm the final quantities and delivery time at least 7 days beforehand.
What audio equipment is needed for a school anniversary?: For announcements and performances, plan speakers, microphones, a mixer and speaker stands, plus extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 1 day before the event and keep a backup microphone if the programme depends on speeches.
How much coffee equipment should I buy or borrow?: Provide coffee machines or kettles for each planned serving point, with coffee pots or thermos flasks for holding and serving. Check capacity 1–2 days before the event and prepare enough cups and mugs for the busiest service period, not just the average flow.

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