What to buy for a service anniversary celebration

A service anniversary celebration needs more than food and drinks. Plan supplies for the welcome table, buffet, speeches, seating and the presentation of programme cards and name badges. Use the final guest count to calculate plates, glasses, cutlery and refreshments, then add a small buffer before shopping. Check dietary requirements before confirming catering quantities, and arrange chilled storage for drinks early enough to keep everything cold.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Reception desk
Clothes racksqty 2
Speaker table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 90
Coffee spoonsqty 90
Dinner cutleryqty 100
Serving utensilsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 16
Dessert serving plattersqty 8
Carafesqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Napkinsqty 120
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Balloonsqty 60
Buntingqty 8
Name badgesqty 90
Program cardsqty 100
Photo framesqty 6
Table numbersqty 10
Gift tablecloth
Tapeqty 4
Ropeqty 2

Equipment

Wireless microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Audio mixer
Laptop
Presentation screen
Projector
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Food warmersqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3
Ice packsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10
Table lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Broomqty 2
Mopqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 10 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 40 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Bitter lemon - 6 liter
- Ginger ale - 6 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 96 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 12 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Baguettes - 18 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham shank - 2 kilograms
- Roast beef - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Filled wraps - 100 pieces
- Falafel - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 5 kilograms
- Cucumber salad - 3 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 5 kilograms
- Dressing - 3 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Pesto - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Herb mix - 4 jars
- Dessert pastries - 100 servings
- Whipped cream - 6 liter
- Fresh fruit - 8 kilograms
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one set of dinner cutlery per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages or replacements.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Include water in carafes and allow extra coffee cups and spoons for the dessert and coffee service.
Buy or hire enough serving platters, dessert bowls and serving cutlery for every buffet component. If several dishes are served at once, one serving utensil per dish prevents queues and shared cutlery.
Prepare the welcome table before guests arrive with name badges, programme cards and any required stationery. Bring spare badges, tape and twine so last-minute changes do not hold up registration.
Keep decorations practical around the speaking area: place flowers, balloons and bunting where they cannot block the microphone, speaker table or guests’ view of the programme.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a service anniversary celebration?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one wine or champagne glass per guest. Add 10% extra, so a group of 50 needs at least 55 of each frequently used item.
How much food and drink should I buy for a service anniversary celebration?: Base food quantities on the confirmed guest list and separate dietary requirements before ordering. For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and about one per person for each following hour, plus water, coffee and non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy supplies for the celebration?: Confirm the final guest count and dietary requirements about 7 days before the event. Buy non-perishable decorations, stationery and tableware first; purchase fresh food and chillable drinks 1 to 2 days before serving.
What do people often forget for a service anniversary celebration?: Common omissions are serving cutlery, dessert bowls, coffee spoons, spare name badges and extra printed programme cards. Prepare at least 10% more badges and cards than the confirmed guest count to cover late changes.

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