Summer party shopping list

Use this shopping list to cover the items people most often arrange too late for a summer party. Plan drinks and serving equipment around your guest count, then check whether you already have enough plates, glasses, cutlery and cooling space. If you are barbecuing, include fuel, grill trays and preparation tools, not just food. Outdoor furniture, tents and waste supplies also need advance planning, especially if they must be rented or delivered.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 70
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar
Bollardsqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Aluminum grill traysqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 2
Brushesqty 3

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigerators
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8
Lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 70
Directional signsqty 6

Sports equipment

Ring toss set
Boccia set
Tug of war rope
Beanbagsqty 8
Badminton setqty 2
Conesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Broom setsqty 2
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Beef burgers - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 40 pieces
- Hot dogs - 40 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Hard rolls - 70 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 5 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cheddar - 2 kilograms
- Bacon - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Eggplant spread - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Fried onions - 3 bags
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Bitterballen - 200 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 150 pieces
- Cheese sticks - 100 pieces
- Ice - 20 kilograms
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 10 cans
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sprite - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Barbecue charcoal - 20 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Add extra water and soft drinks for hot weather, and chill them at least 24 hours before the party.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one glass and one full set of cutlery per guest, plus roughly 10% extra. Count wine glasses and coffee cups separately if both will be served.
For a barbecue, arrange the barbecue, gas cylinders and aluminum grill trays before shopping for ingredients. Keep at least one cutting board and one serving platter reserved for cooked food to avoid contact with raw meat.
Work out your cooling capacity before buying drinks: a cooler needs enough space for ice as well as bottles and cans. Wash fruit and vegetables and prepare sauces or dressings no more than 24 hours ahead.
Buy or reserve tents, tables and chairs as soon as the guest count is known, ideally at least 2 weeks ahead. Check the forecast again 48 hours before the party so you can adjust shade, shelter and drink quantities.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a summer party?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour and about 1 drink per person for each following hour. Include water and soft drinks, and add extra non-alcoholic drinks when the weather is hot.
How many plates and glasses should I buy for a party?: Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one glass and one set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each frequently used item.
When should I reserve party tents and tables?: Reserve tents, tables and chairs at least 2 weeks before the event once the guest count is reliable. Confirm delivery and available space again 3–5 days before the party.
How early should I chill drinks for a summer party?: Chill bottled and canned drinks for at least 24 hours when possible. Put a second batch in the coolers 2–3 hours before guests arrive, leaving room for ice and cold air to circulate.

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