What to buy for a student party

For a student party, plan the shopping around three areas: serving food and drinks, setting up the room, and keeping the music and lighting running. Buy or collect reusable glasses, plates and cutlery rather than relying on disposable supplies, and check that you have enough tables for both the buffet and the bar. Drinks need chilled storage, while sound equipment, extension cords and charging cables should be tested before guests arrive. Decorations are easy to forget until setup starts, especially the balloon pump and sticky tack.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 100
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 120
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Music source
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 10
Photo backdrop
Balloon pumpqty 2
Sticky tackqty 4

Cleaning

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

Safety

First aid kit

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsner - 240 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Cider - 24 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 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
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Salted popcorn - 6 bags
- Mini pizzas - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian mini pizzas - 40 pieces
- Vegan mini pizzas - 20 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Set aside enough reusable glasses for the full guest list, plus roughly 10% extra. Add small bowls, serving platters and serving spoons so snacks do not end up in their original packaging.
Plan chilled drink storage before shopping day. Use coolers for bottles and cans, and have thermos flasks and kettles ready if you are serving hot drinks.
Check the sound setup at least one day before the party. Test the portable speakers, music source and microphone together, then pack extension cords, power strips and charging cables.
Buy or collect setup items separately from food and drinks. Tables, chairs, buffet tables and bar stools are often available to borrow, but arranging them on the day can take longer than expected.
Put decoration hardware on the list, not just the decorations. Balloons and bunting need a balloon pump and sticky tack, while string lights and LED lamps need a safe power connection.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a student party?: Plan for one reusable glass per guest, plus about 10% extra for replacements during the evening. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 glasses.
What equipment do I need for student party music?: You need portable speakers, a music source and charging cables, with extension cords and power strips if the venue has limited sockets. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours beforehand.
What should I buy for a student party buffet?: Include reusable plates and cutlery, small bowls, serving platters, serving spoons, cutting boards and kitchen knives. Prepare these items the day before so the buffet can be set up as soon as the venue opens.
When should I buy drinks for a student party?: Buy non-perishable drinks and serving supplies one to two days ahead. Chill the drinks as soon as possible, using coolers if the venue does not have enough refrigerated storage.

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