What to buy for a summer party

A summer party needs more than food and drinks. You will also need enough serving items, cold storage, barbecue equipment, lighting and supplies for waste and handwashing. Plan quantities around your guest count, then buy non-perishable groceries several days ahead and collect fresh items on the day. This checklist supports an outdoor setup with buffet food, barbecues, tents, games and background music.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Aluminum grill traysqty 6
Meat thermometersqty 2

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Cooler cratesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tapeqty 4
Table décorqty 8

Sports equipment

Traditional Dutch gamesqty 4
Footballsqty 2
Mikadoqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Safety

First aid kit
Fire blanketqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Beef burgers - 45 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 15 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian Sausages - 10 pieces
- Marking baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kg
- Bell peppers - 3 kg
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Grated cheese - 2 kg
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Pasta salad - 5 kg
- Potato salad - 5 kg
- Mixed raw vegetables - 4 kg
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 5 bags
- Watermelons - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 per person for each following hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill drinks in batches rather than all at once.
For a buffet, allow one reusable plate, fork, knife and glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving platters, tongs and spoons so guests do not use personal cutlery for shared food.
Buy salads, snacks and barbecue ingredients according to the confirmed guest count, including dietary requirements. Label special-dietary dishes before guests arrive so they are not mixed up at the buffet.
Outdoor food and drinks need a clear cold-storage plan. Prepare coolers and ice before setup, and keep raw barbecue ingredients separate from ready-to-eat salads and bread.
Do not leave lighting and power until the evening. Check extension cords and power strips before the party, then combine string lights and battery lanterns so paths, tables and the bar remain visible after dark.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a summer barbecue party?: For a main barbecue meal, plan roughly 300–400 g of food per adult, including meat, vegetarian options and sides. Add 150–200 g of salads, bread or other side dishes per person, then increase the total for a long afternoon or evening.
How many drinks should I buy for a summer party?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person, followed by 1–2 drinks per person for every additional hour. Buy at least one drink per person per hour as water or another non-alcoholic option, especially in warm weather.
How many plates and glasses do I need for an outdoor party?: Plan one plate, glass, fork and knife per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage, dropped items and second servings. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 of each reusable item.
When should I buy supplies for a summer party?: Buy non-perishable groceries, decorations and disposable backup supplies 3–5 days before the party. Collect fresh food on the day or the evening before, and chill drinks at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive.

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