How much food and drink do you need for a Halloween party, holiday open house or birthday? Enter your guests and how long the party lasts. Numbers use common catering rules of thumb, rounded up.
| Guests | Appetizer pieces | Drinks | Ice (lb) |
|---|
A common rule of thumb is 6 appetizer pieces per guest in the first hour and 4 per hour after that when no meal is served. If a full meal follows, plan 2 to 3 pieces per guest per hour.
Plan about 2 drinks per guest in the first hour and 1 per guest for each hour after that, plus water. A 3-hour party for 20 guests needs about 80 drinks.
Allow about 1 pound of ice per guest for drinks, and double it on a hot day or if you also chill bottles in a cooler.
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