How much food and drink do I need per person for a party?

As a rough guide, plan 2-3 drinks per guest for the first couple of hours and around 6-8 appetizer-sized bites each if food is the main event. For ice, allow 1-2 lbs (0.5-1 kg) per person. Always round up a little, and include non-alcoholic drinks and a vegetarian option.

What food is easiest to serve at a party?

Grazing food is the easiest to host with — dips, chips, a cheese and charcuterie board, veggie platters, and anything guests can serve themselves. Trays that bake in one go, or handheld items like sliders and pizza, save you from plating individual meals and let you enjoy the party too.

What supplies do people forget to buy for a party?

The commonly forgotten items are ice, extra trash and recycling bags, enough napkins and cups, and serving spoons for shared dishes. A bottle opener and corkscrew, foil and containers for leftovers, and a non-alcoholic plus allergy-friendly option round out what tends to get missed.

Party Grocery List

Hosting is mostly about not running out. This party grocery list covers the food, drinks, and supplies a get-together needs, with rough per-guest amounts so you can scale it to your headcount. Confirm your guest count and any allergies first, then adjust the quantities up or down. See more grocery and shopping lists.

Curated by the Gisti team · Updated July 2026

Party Grocery List · 21 items

A mix of soft drinks, juice, and sparkling water
Plan about 2-3 drinks per guest for the first few hours.
Beer, wine, or a batch cocktail, if you're serving alcohol
Plenty of ice — more than you think you'll need
Roughly 1-2 lbs (0.5-1 kg) per guest for drinks and coolers.
Coffee, tea, and milk for later in the night
A main or two — a platter, tray bake, pizzas, or something on the grill
Buns, bread, or wraps if you're serving anything handheld
A couple of dips — hummus, salsa, guacamole, or a cheese dip
Chips, crackers, pretzels, and nuts for grazing
Set snacks out before guests arrive to cover the early lull.
A cheese and charcuterie board — cheeses, cured meats, and crackers
A veggie platter and fruit for lighter and dietary options
Always include a vegetarian and a non-alcoholic option.
Dessert — a cake, cookies, or something easy to serve
Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo, and any sauces your mains need
Paper plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery
Buy about 1.5x your guest count — plates and cups get swapped.
Serving bowls, platters, and a couple of serving spoons
Trash bags and a recycling bag, set out where guests can see them
Paper towels and cleaning wipes for spills
A cooler or two, plus bags of ice to fill them
Bottle opener, corkscrew, and a can opener
Aluminum foil, cling film, and containers for leftovers
Candles, a lighter, and music or a speaker for atmosphere
A few extras for allergies or kids — a gluten-free snack and a juice option
Ask guests about allergies when they RSVP.

Make it yours in Gisti

Open this checklist in Gisti to tick items off, add your own, set reminders, and keep it in sync across Android and the web. AI can tailor every item to your exact situation.

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