Party & event supplies checklist

Whether it is a 40th in the backyard, a kids' birthday, a baby shower, a school fete, a sports club presentation night, a work function or a street party, the shopping list for the disposables side is much the same. Here is a category-by-category checklist with simple rules of thumb for how much to buy per guest, so nothing runs out halfway through.

On the table

  • Plates: 1 dinner plate and 1 side or dessert plate per guest per course, plus 10 percent spare. For a stand-up party with finger food, 1 to 2 small plates per guest is enough.
  • Bowls: 1 per guest if you are serving salad, pasta, dessert or ice cream.
  • Cutlery: 1 set per guest per course. Teaspoons and forks always run short, so add 20 percent.
  • Cups: 2 cold cups per guest for a sit-down meal, 3 or more for a long afternoon or evening, plus 1 hot cup per guest if tea and coffee are served.
  • Napkins: 2 to 3 per guest, and more for finger food, barbecues and anything with sauce.
  • Tablecloths: measure the tables first. Standard trestle tables take a rectangle cloth; round tables take a round cloth with drop on both sides. Allow one spare for the food or drinks table.
  • Serving platters, bowls, tongs and serving spoons: one serving set per dish, plus a couple of spares.

In the kitchen

  • Foil trays: a full-size deep tray holds around 25 to 30 main-course portions or 40 side serves; a half-size tray around 12 to 15 mains or 20 sides. See how many foil trays you need for 20, 50 or 100 guests.
  • Takeaway containers with lids: 1 per guest for sending leftovers home, or 1 per 2 guests if only some will take food.
  • Foil, cling wrap and baking paper: a roll of each for lining, covering and wrapping.
  • Lids: for every tray or container that will travel or go in the fridge.

Clean-up

  • Bin bags: 1 heavy-duty bag per 10 guests for a meal, plus separate bags for recycling.
  • Paper towel, cloths and a spray cleaner for spills and the venue clean-down.
  • Toilet paper and hand towel if you are using a hall or a venue that does not supply them.

A quick example: 30 guests, sit-down dinner

  • Plates: about 35 dinner plates and 35 dessert plates.
  • Cutlery: about 35 sets, with extra teaspoons.
  • Cups: 60 to 70 cold cups and 30 hot cups.
  • Napkins: 75 to 90.
  • Foil trays: 1 full-size or 2 half-size trays per main dish, 1 half-size tray per side.
  • Takeaway containers: 15 to 30 with lids.
  • Bin bags: 3 to 4, plus recycling.

Use the Quick Order page to enter all your quantities at once, and for anything over about 50 guests look at the Bulk Carton Savings collection, where carton quantities bring the cost per piece down.

Pickup, delivery and shipping

We are at 391 Inkerman Street, St Kilda VIC 3182, with on-site parking. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm in summer (daylight saving time) and 9:00am to 2:00pm in winter, Sunday 10:00am to 1:00pm, and we are closed on Saturday. Public holiday hours vary, so call (03) 9525 8512 or check our Google listing before you visit.

Order online and pick up in store, or choose local delivery within 10 km of the store, which is free on orders of $199 or more. We ship Australia-wide for most items via Australia Post. Super bulky items are pickup or local delivery only. Contact us for a custom quote on a big event order and we will have everything packed and ready for you.

Our range changes through the year, so call or visit for what is in store.

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