60th Birthday Party Shopping List

A 60th birthday party needs more than a cake and a few bottles of wine. Plan your shopping around the final guest count, the meal or buffet, and how long people will stay. This list covers the tableware, serving equipment, drinks setup, coffee supplies and decorations needed for a well-organised celebration. Check dietary requirements before placing catering orders, and leave time to chill drinks and collect the cake on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Gift table
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner Platesqty 50
Dessert Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Wine glassesqty 45
Coffee Cupsqty 45
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4
Serving Spoonsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Cake Knife
Coffee machine
Kettle
Thermosesqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 2
Power Stripsqty 2

Decorations

Balloonqty 80
Balloon weightqty 4
Bannersqty 6
Number Balloons 60
Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6
Photo Framesqty 8
Vasesqty 4
Artificial Flowersqty 4

Lighting

String Lightsqty 3
LED Candlesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liters
- Still Mineral Water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling Mineral Water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange soda - 3 bottles
- Iced Tea - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 cartons
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Red Wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cheese Slices - 1.5 kilos
- Dry Ham - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Cherry Tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Paprika Chips - 4 bags
- Plain Chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla Chips - 3 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Mixed Nuts - 1 kilo
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mini Quiches - 60 pieces
- Meatballs - 80 pieces
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Pasta Salad - 4 kilos
- Potato Salad - 4 kilos
- Green Salad - 3 kilos
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Vegetarian Quiche - 2 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Birthday cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash Bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 6 pieces

Tips

Buy or hire tableware for the confirmed guest count, plus roughly 10% extra. That means 55 place settings for 50 guests, including spare plates, glasses and cutlery.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add non-alcoholic options and keep water available throughout the party.
Order the cake early and confirm the collection time at least 48 hours beforehand. Bring a cake knife, cake plates and a clear, stable place to store the cake before serving.
Prepare separate serving equipment for the buffet: use one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish and keep extra platters available for refills. This prevents guests from sharing utensils between dishes.
Test the speaker, extension leads and power strips before guests arrive, ideally the day before. Put the drinks in coolers several hours ahead so they are cold when welcome drinks are served.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a 60th birthday party?: For a meal, plan approximately 500–700 g of food per adult, including side dishes. For drinks-and-snacks only, allow 6–8 savoury bites per person for the first two hours, then add more if the party continues.
How many drinks should I buy for a 60th birthday?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person in the first hour and around 1 drink per person for each following hour. Include water and non-alcoholic drinks for at least 25% of the total drinks supply, adjusted for your guests.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery sets do I need?: Start with one complete setting per confirmed guest and add 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 dinner plates, dessert plates, cutlery sets and drinking glasses, with additional glasses if you serve both wine and water.
When should I order the birthday cake?: Order the cake at least 1–2 weeks before the party, or earlier if the design is custom-made. Confirm the collection or delivery time 48 hours before the event and leave a safe, cool place ready for it.

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