What to Buy for a Sing-Along

A sing-along needs more than drinks and snacks. Plan refreshments for the full audience, serving supplies for the way food will be shared, and a few practical backups for the presentation and sound setup. This checklist covers the items most often missed, from batteries and HDMI cables to coffee supplies and allergen labels. Buy non-perishables early, then chill drinks and prepare fresh food on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 90
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
HDMI cablesqty 2
USB stick
Presentation clicker
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Batteriesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Scissorsqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Name card holdersqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 6
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Broom setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Brown rolls - 60 pieces
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Baby carrots - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paper napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Labels - 2 packs
- Highlighters - 2 packs

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then allow one to two more for each following hour. Keep extra water available, especially when people will be singing for a long time.
Buy snacks that can be served without interrupting the music: allow roughly 150–200 grams of snacks per person for a two- to three-hour sing-along. Put allergen information next to each serving platter before guests arrive.
Count reusable cups, plates and cutlery against your confirmed registrations, then add at least 10% extra. Running short is easy to miss when people take a fresh cup between songs.
Test the laptop, projector, presentation and sound system at least 24 hours beforehand. Pack a USB stick backup, spare batteries, HDMI cables, extension cords and power strips so one missing connection does not stop the sing-along.
Prepare coffee and hot water separately from the singing area. Set out coffee cups, thermos flasks, a coffee machine or kettle, and serving utensils before opening the room; otherwise the first break becomes a queue for basic supplies.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks do I need for a sing-along?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one to two additional drinks per person for every later hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and chill them before guests arrive.
How many snacks should I buy for a sing-along?: For a two- to three-hour event, plan approximately 150–200 grams of snacks per person. Add extra if the sing-along overlaps a normal mealtime, and label allergens before serving.
What equipment should I bring to a sing-along?: Bring active speakers, a mixer, microphones, a laptop, projector, projection screen and the required HDMI cables. Pack a USB backup, spare batteries, extension cords and power strips, and test everything at least 24 hours before the event.
How many cups and plates do I need for a sing-along?: Count one cup, plate and cutlery set per expected guest, then add at least 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 of each item if you are not washing items during the event.

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