What you need for a Sweater Day

A Sweater Day usually combines a clothing swap with a warm soup and drinks buffet, so your shopping list needs to cover both activities. Plan tableware for every guest, plus serving equipment that can handle hot soup, coffee and tea. You will also need practical supplies for the clothing racks, registration desk, signs and clean-up. Check quantities against your registrations before shopping, and confirm borrowed furniture and equipment at least one week ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 100
Clothes racksqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 4

Tableware

Soup bowlsqty 120
Platesqty 120
Mugsqty 120
Glassesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Information boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Name stickersqty 120
Clothes hangersqty 150
Clothes pegsqty 100

Equipment

Soup kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Storage binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Whole wheat rolls - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Croutons - 3 bags
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 4 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 10 liters
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Oatmeal cookies - 8 packs
- Whole grain crackers - 6 packs
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces

Tips

For the buffet, count one soup bowl, plate, mug, glass and cutlery set per registered guest, then add about 10% extra for breakages and second servings.
Plan one serving spoon for each hot dish and enough soup kettles to keep the soup warm without leaving guests waiting. Chill drinks before the event and prepare thermos flasks for coffee and tea.
For the clothing swap, provide one hanger for each garment you expect to display, plus clothes pegs for items that cannot go on hangers. Check the racks fit in the room before bringing the clothes.
Keep the reception desk separate from the buffet and prepare name stickers, information boards and directional signs before guests arrive. Bring extension cords and power strips only after checking where the coffee machines, kettles and lighting will stand.
Buy or reserve waste bins, cleaning buckets, mops and cutting boards before the final shopping trip. A missing cleaning supply is easy to overlook when most of the planning focuses on soup and clothes.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Sweater Day clothing swap?: You need clothes racks, coat racks, hangers and clothes pegs, plus information boards and directional signs. Plan at least one hanger per garment you expect to display and check the rack capacity before the event.
How much tableware do I need for Sweater Day?: Count one soup bowl, plate, mug, glass and cutlery set per registered guest, then add around 10% extra. Also provide serving spoons and enough tables for the buffet, drinks and registration area.
What equipment is needed to serve soup, coffee and tea?: Plan soup kettles for the hot soup, coffee machines and kettles for hot drinks, and thermos flasks to keep coffee or tea available. Test the equipment and power connections at least one day before the event.
When should I do the Sweater Day shopping?: Finalize the list after registrations and dietary requirements are checked, ideally 7 to 10 days before the event. Buy non-perishable supplies first and collect or purchase fresh food and chilled drinks one day before.

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