What to Buy for a Shavuot Celebration

A Shavuot celebration usually combines learning, prayer, shared meals and a children’s program, so the shopping list needs to cover more than food. Plan tableware for the final guest count, separate serving pieces for buffet dishes, and enough cups for coffee, water and cold drinks. Check dietary requirements and kosher certification before buying ingredients. Fresh produce, dairy items, ice and chilled foods are easy to leave until the last minute, so schedule those purchases close to the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Children's chairsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 40
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Water carafesqty 10
Coffee potsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkinsqty 100
Flower vasesqty 10
Paper garlandsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 8

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Hot traysqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Grape juice - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Spring onions - 6 bunches
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Fresh dill - 4 bunches
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Cream cheese - 4 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Feta - 3 kilo
- Mozzarella - 3 kilos
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Greek yogurt - 5 kilos
- Sour cream - 2 kilos
- Quark - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Bread - 15 loaves
- Bagels - 60 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Flour - 5 kilos
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilos
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls and cutlery against the final number of guests, then add roughly 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items.
Plan at least two drinking glasses per guest for a meal, plus coffee cups if coffee will be served during the learning or social program.
Buy shelf-stable groceries several days ahead, but collect fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy ingredients and other chilled foods on the day before the celebration.
Check every prepared food and packaged ingredient for the required kosher certification before it goes into the menu; do this before shopping, not at the checkout.
Pack presentation and children’s supplies separately from the food. Test the laptop, projector, screen, microphones, speakers, extension cords and power strips at least one day before the event.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Shavuot celebration?: Plan food and drinks, kosher-certified ingredients, tableware, serving platters, napkins, coffee supplies and chilled storage. You may also need materials for learning, prayer, children’s activities and presentations, including name badges and equipment for displaying the program.
How many plates and glasses do I need for Shavuot?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl, one cutlery set and one glass per guest. Add about 10% extra tableware, and provide additional coffee cups if coffee is served more than once.
When should I buy food for a Shavuot celebration?: Buy shelf-stable products several days in advance and check them against the menu. Pick up fresh produce, dairy products and other refrigerated ingredients the day before, then keep them chilled until preparation.
How much serving equipment is needed for a Shavuot buffet?: Allow one serving spoon or utensil for each buffet dish, plus enough serving platters, trays and bowls for the full menu. Set out water carafes and coffee pots before guests arrive so the buffet does not depend on last-minute setup.

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