What to Buy for a Themed Dinner

A themed dinner needs more than ingredients and a good menu. Plan for the number of guests, then check every place where food is prepared, served, eaten, and cleared away. You may need separate plates for dinner, dessert, and coffee, plus enough glasses for water and wine. Non-perishable items can be bought first, while fresh groceries and prepared components should wait until the final few days. Use this list alongside your guest count and dietary requirements so nothing essential is missing on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Buffet tableqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 30
Deep platesqty 30
Dessert platesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 30
Water glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 30
Coffee spoonsqty 30
Dinner knivesqty 30
Dinner forksqty 30
Dinner spoonsqty 30

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Coolersqty 3
Food warmersqty 4
Corkscrewqty 2
Bottle openersqty 2

Equipment

Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Cloth napkinsqty 30
Name badgesqty 30
Menusqty 24
Themed decoration materials
LED candlesqty 24

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Eggplants - 6 pieces
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Mixed lettuce - 4 heads
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Feta cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Parmesan cheese - 750 grams
- Mozzarella - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Red lentils - 1.5 kilogram
- Basmati rice - 3 kilogram
- Pasta - 2 kilograms
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Tomato paste - 6 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Chicken broth - 2 boxes
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Greek yogurt - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pesto sauce - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Oregano - 1 jar
- Chili flakes - 1 jar
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Dark chocolate - 1,5 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 3 liters
- Fresh fruit - 4 kilograms
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls

Tips

Confirm the final guest count before buying fresh groceries. For each guest, allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass, and one wine glass, plus at least 10% extra if you expect breakages or late additions.
Check tableware against the menu rather than assuming dinner plates will cover everything. A menu with soup or another liquid course needs deep plates, while dessert and coffee require separate plates, cups, and coffee spoons.
Buy or borrow serving equipment early, especially serving platters, serving spoons, mixing bowls, measuring cups, cutting boards, and chef’s knives. Check these at least 3 days before the dinner so missing pieces can still be replaced.
Keep chilled ingredients and prepared dishes cold until serving. Freeze ice packs at least 24 hours ahead and check that the coolers have enough space before buying fresh groceries.
Do not leave table details until the final hour. Count table runners and cloth napkins for every place setting, print the menus, and arrange the dining tables, chairs, and buffet table before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a themed dinner party?: Plan food and drinks, dinner and dessert tableware, serving platters and spoons, preparation tools, coolers or food warmers, and table decorations. For a complete setup, allow at least one place setting per guest and check the menu for extra plates or bowls.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass, and one wine glass per guest. Add deep plates for liquid courses and keep 10% extra where possible, so a dinner for 20 guests needs 22 of each basic item.
When should I buy groceries for a themed dinner?: Buy non-perishable food and drinks several days ahead. Buy fresh groceries 1–2 days before the dinner, then wash and cut vegetables and prepare sauces or desserts according to how long they safely keep.
What do people forget for a dinner party?: Corkscrews, bottle openers, serving spoons, coffee equipment, extension cords, and enough space for coats are often missed. Check these at least 3 days beforehand, and freeze ice packs 24 hours before guests arrive.

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