What to Buy for a Spring Festival

A Spring Festival needs more than snacks and drinks. Plan food and serving quantities around your guest count, then check the practical items that are easy to overlook: coolers, thermos flasks, extension cords, name badges and weather protection. Cakes and pastries may need collecting shortly before guests arrive, while drinks need time to chill. Use this list alongside the plan so shopping, setup and serving fit the schedule.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 75
Drinking glassesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 75
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Paper napkinsqty 150
Name badgesqty 70
Tapeqty 4

Equipment

Wireless speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Jug water jugsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Sports equipment

Bingo cardsqty 80
Bingo cage
Conesqty 10
Ring toss set
Walking sticksqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Flashlightsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Grape juice - 3 packs
- Beer - 48 cans
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Fruit tarts - 3 pcs
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Sugar cubes - 2 packs
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan about two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and chill them before guests arrive.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cup and one glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages or replacements. Count cutlery and paper napkins separately rather than assuming they are included.
Buy or bring enough serving equipment for the buffet: at least one serving spoon per dish, several serving platters, small bowls for condiments and jugs for water. Keep a separate set available for cakes and pastries.
For an outdoor Spring Festival, confirm the weather forecast before shopping and arrange party tents early enough to cover the buffet and seating. Pack tape, buckets and tablecloths with the setup supplies, not with the food.
Check power needs before collecting the sound equipment. Count the extension cords and power strips, and test the wireless speaker and microphone before guests arrive; prepare coffee and tea with kettles and thermos flasks so service does not depend on one outlet.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Spring Festival?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for every additional hour, with water included. For food, provide several snack portions per guest and add about 10% extra for unexpected guests or larger appetites.
How many plates, cups and glasses should I buy for a Spring Festival?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one coffee cup and one drinking glass per guest. Add at least 10% extra, so a group of 40 needs 44 of each item where practical.
What should I buy for an outdoor Spring Festival?: Arrange party tents, tables, chairs and buffet tables before the event, especially if rain is possible. Add tablecloths, tape, coolers, buckets and power equipment, and check the forecast at least 24 hours beforehand.
When should I chill drinks and collect cakes for a Spring Festival?: Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive; use coolers if refrigerator space is limited. Collect cakes and pastries on the day of the event, close enough to serving time to keep them fresh without delaying setup.

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