What to buy for a season opening
A season opening usually combines sports, food and an informal get-together, so your shopping list needs to cover more than refreshments. Plan for serving, seating, weather protection, electricity and the activities on the programme. Reusable tableware, coolers and food-warming equipment help the day run smoothly when people eat at different times. Check dietary requirements before ordering groceries, and allow extra drinks, cups and waste capacity for visitors who stay longer than planned.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 3
- Foldable tablesqty 12
- Folding chairsqty 120
- Bar stoolsqty 8
- Buffet tablesqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 120
- Reusable bowlsqty 80
- Reusable cupsqty 250
- Wine glassesqty 80
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Cutlery setsqty 120
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving spoonsqty 8
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Chef's knivesqty 6
- Pliersqty 8
- Aluminum traysqty 20
- Food warmersqty 6
- Water jugsqty 8
- Thermos flasksqty 6
Equipment
- Barbecueqty 2
- Coolersqty 6
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Bluetooth speakersqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Cash drawer
- Payment terminal
- Megaphone
Sports equipment
- Footballsqty 8
- Basketballsqty 6
- Volleyballqty 4
- Conesqty 40
- Vestsqty 40
- Whistlesqty 6
- Stopwatchesqty 4
- Scoreboardsqty 4
- Prizesqty 12
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 150
- Buntingqty 12
- Tableclothsqty 12
- Welcome sign
- Program boardsqty 4
Lighting
- String lightsqty 6
- LED lampsqty 12
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pils - 144 bottles
- White beer - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Bitterballen - 5 bags
- Meatballs - 4 bags
- Mini cheese soufflés - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 80 pieces
- Hamburgers - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hot dogs - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 20 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 80 pieces
- Veggie skewers - 20 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Grated cheese - 4 kilos
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Dressing - 6 bottles
- Herb mix - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Charcoal - 8 bags
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
Cleaning
- Broomqty 3
- Litter pickersqty 4
- Bucketsqty 4
- Mopsqty 4
- Cleaning glovesqty 8
- Waste binsqty 6
Other
- First aid kit
- Flashlightsqty 4
- Walkie-talkiesqty 6
- Wristbandsqty 150
- Name stickersqty 150
- Markersqty 12
- Clipboard boardsqty 6
Tips
- Plan around the number of registered participants plus volunteers and guests. For drinks, allow two to three servings per person during the first hour, then one serving per person for each additional hour.
- Do not leave serving equipment until the last day. Count tables, serving platters, serving spoons, cutting boards and knives before groceries arrive, and add at least one spare serving utensil for each buffet section.
- Prepare for changing weather with party tents, coolers and insulated containers. Set aside a dry, covered place for food, coffee machines, kettles and electrical equipment rather than moving them when rain starts.
- Match reusable plates, bowls, cups, wine glasses, coffee cups and cutlery to the guest count, then add roughly 10 percent extra. That covers replacements when items are left on the field or used before the buffet opens.
- Check power and sports supplies before collection. Test extension cords, power strips, speakers and coffee equipment, and count the footballs and basketballs against the activities scheduled for the opening.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food and drink do I need for a season opening?
- Use the confirmed registrations as your base and add 10 percent for volunteers, late arrivals and seconds. For drinks, plan on two to three servings per person in the first hour, followed by about one serving per person per hour.
- How many cups, plates and cutlery sets should I buy?
- Provide one complete place setting per expected guest, plus 10 percent extra. If the event lasts several hours, plan extra reusable cups because people often keep them, misplace them or switch between water, soft drinks and coffee.
- What should I arrange for rain at a season opening?
- Have party tents ready before setup begins and keep food, tableware and electrical equipment under cover. Check the weather forecast at least 24 hours beforehand, then confirm the final layout and any extra shelter the day before.
- When should I order groceries for a season opening?
- Confirm registrations and dietary requirements at least 7 days before the event, then place the grocery order soon after. Collect fresh items and chilled drinks as close to the event as practical, usually within 24 hours.
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