Use this starter list for a simple birthday party and adapt it to your guests. Tableware quantities show an example of 10 guests; edit them for the people attending and the food you will serve. Food rows start at 1 as a planning placeholder, so enter your own amounts after choosing the menu.
Confirm what the venue or party provider includes, its rules for outside food, candles and decorations, and who handles cleanup. Discuss food allergies privately with guests or children's parents or carers, then confirm ingredients and requirements with the baker or caterer.
Your checklist
Saving, sharing and item plans
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Choose one plan per row. The checkbox is separate. If you own some and need more, split the item into two rows. Optional items start as Skip.
Confirm size for the people eating and check ingredients with the baker.
Drinking water
Quantity: 1 · Need to buy
Enter bottles or a refill plan for guests and duration; check what is supplied.
Savory food for the chosen menu
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional if serving a meal; replace this row with your dishes and amounts.
Snacks
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional; choose after checking food needs, then enter actual pack quantities.
Tableware and serving
Plates
Quantity: 10 · Need to buy
10 is an example; adjust for guests, courses and reusable or supplied plates.
Cups
Quantity: 10 · Need to buy
Start from the example guest count; use existing or supplied cups where practical.
Napkins
Quantity: 20 · Need to buy
20 is an editable example; check the menu, existing supply and pack contents.
Forks or spoons
Quantity: 10 · Skip
Add if the menu needs them; adjust the example count and reuse or borrow.
Serving tray
Quantity: 1 · Borrow
Borrow or reuse a tray for the planned food; confirm any venue supply.
Serving bowl
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Match to the food you chose; borrow, reuse or skip if the menu needs no bowl.
Cake server
Quantity: 1 · Already own
Use one you have or borrow; mark supplied if the venue handles cake service.
Optional decorations
Tablecloth
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional; check table size and supplied covers, and reuse one if suitable.
Birthday banner
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional; reuse a banner and confirm permitted places and fixings.
Birthday candles
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional; choose the count or design and confirm the venue allows candles.
Activities and optional favors
Materials for a party game
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Add for a chosen game; reuse or borrow and check its age and player guidance.
Craft or coloring materials
Quantity: 1 · Skip
Optional activity; check existing supplies, product ages and materials per participant.
Take-home favors
Quantity: 10 · Skip
Optional; edit for the recipients and check the chosen product's age label.
Cleanup and packing up
Bin bags
Quantity: 2 · Need to buy
Example count; check bin size, existing supplies and venue waste arrangements.
Paper towel roll
Quantity: 1 · Already own
Use your existing roll for spills, or your usual cleaning cloths; check venue supplies.
Food containers with lids
Quantity: 2 · Already own
Use containers you have for packing food; adjust count and check supplied boxes.
Before you shop
Count everyone who will eat and drink
Include the birthday person, hosts and accompanying adults when they will share the food. Replace the example tableware counts with your guest count and serving plan. Check pack contents before buying; food amounts still need your own menu and portion decisions.
Check the party package before shopping
Ask the venue or provider whether plates, cups, serving pieces, activities and cleanup supplies are included. Mark confirmed items as provided and agree any contributions separately. A shared list is a snapshot, so confirm arrangements directly.
Reuse the serving pieces first
Check your cupboards for plates, cups, trays and containers, and borrow what you need for a single event. Add decorations and favors only if you want them. If buying a reusable item for future parties, choose the exact size and model before checking its price with Muchita Shopping.
Choose the menu after checking food needs
Ask guests, or parents and carers for children, what they can and cannot eat. Check ingredient labels and discuss requirements with the baker or caterer before ordering. Keep these conversations outside the shared shopping list.
Questions about this list
How much food should I buy for 10 guests?
The 10-guest example sets editable tableware counts. Food rows are placeholders: choose the menu, count the people eating, and confirm portions or cake size with your supplier. Set drink amounts for the duration and available refills; the list does not calculate food or drink quantities.
Do I need a matching disposable party set?
Use suitable plates and cups you already have, borrow extras, or mark confirmed venue supplies as provided. Buy the missing quantity after checking pack contents. Matching tableware, decorations and favors are optional.
What should I check before a party at a hired venue?
Confirm the package contents, rules for outside food, candles and decorations, and cleanup arrangements. Ask about serving equipment and any activity materials before buying them. Check food requirements with guests and the food provider separately.
Sources and scope
Target - Kids' Birthday Party Supplies US retailer assortment supports party tableware, table covers, banners, candles, game kits, favors and food containers as product categories. It does not establish demand, guest quantities, age suitability or venue rules. Checked: 2026-10-03
Target - Grocery US grocery assortment supports water, snacks and food categories. It does not establish serving sizes, dietary suitability or quantities for a party. Checked: 2026-10-03
Target - Bakery & Bread US bakery assortment includes cakes, cupcakes and other desserts. It supports a birthday dessert category, not a cake size, ingredient claim or number of portions. Checked: 2026-10-03
IKEA - Serveware US retailer assortment supports reusable trays and serving bowls. Reuse, borrowing and starting quantities are editorial planning choices, not retailer requirements. Checked: 2026-10-03
IKEA - Flatware & Cutlery US retailer assortment supports forks, spoons and cake servers. It does not establish how many utensils an event needs or which products suit particular children. Checked: 2026-10-03
Target - Kids' Crafts US retailer assortment supports optional craft and coloring materials. Product instructions and age labels must be checked for the chosen activity; the category does not establish suitability. Checked: 2026-10-03
Target - Trash Bags US retailer assortment supports bin bags in different sizes and pack counts. It does not determine the venue's waste arrangements or the event's required count. Checked: 2026-10-03
Target - Paper Towels US retailer assortment supports paper towels as a cleanup supply. A single example roll is an editable planning choice, not a guaranteed quantity for an event. Checked: 2026-10-03
Food Standards Agency - Food allergy and intolerance advice for consumers Current FSA guidance for England, Northern Ireland and Wales supports asking guests or children's parents and carers about food requirements, checking ingredients and discussing allergies with food businesses. No UK legal requirement is presented as a worldwide rule. Checked: 2026-10-03