Ultimate Self-Catering Group Shopping List

Planning a self-catering group stay? Smart shopping is key to a stress-free, enjoyable break. This comprehensive shopping list covers everything you'll need for a group of 10-15 people over a 2-3 night stay, from breakfast basics to party essentials. Print it, share it, and tick things off as you shop!

💡 Top Shopping Tips

• Shop at larger supermarkets (Tesco/Sainsbury's in Downpatrick or Comber, 15 mins away)
• Consider online delivery to save hassle
• Shop a day before arrival if possible
• Assign one person to coordinate the shop or split by category

Breakfast Essentials

Start each day right with a well-stocked breakfast buffet:

Bread & Cereals

□ Sliced bread (2-3 loaves)
□ Bagels or croissants (1 pack)
□ Cereals (variety pack or 2-3 boxes)
□ Porridge oats
□ Granola or muesli

Breakfast Proteins

□ Bacon (3-4 packs)
□ Sausages (3-4 packs)
□ Eggs (2-3 dozen)
□ Black pudding (optional)
□ Smoked salmon (treat option)

Breakfast Extras

□ Mushrooms (2-3 packs)
□ Tomatoes (2 packs)
□ Baked beans (2-3 tins)
□ Butter/margarine (2 packs)
□ Jams/marmalade
□ Peanut butter
□ Honey
□ Yogurts (large pack)
□ Fresh fruit (bananas, apples, berries)

Main Meals

Plan simple, crowd-pleasing meals that are easy to prepare:

Suggested Meal Ideas for Groups

Night 1: Pasta night (spaghetti bolognese or carbonara)
Night 2: BBQ or buffet (if ordering catering, skip these ingredients)
Night 3: One-pot curry or chili con carne

Pasta Night Ingredients

□ Pasta (3-4 large packs)
□ Pasta sauces (jars or fresh, 4-5)
□ Minced beef/pork (2-3kg if making bolognese)
□ Onions (3-4)
□ Garlic (2 bulbs)
□ Tinned tomatoes (4-5 tins)
□ Parmesan cheese
□ Fresh basil
□ Garlic bread (3-4 packs)

BBQ/Buffet Ingredients

□ Burgers (2 packs)
□ Sausages (3 packs)
□ Chicken pieces (3kg)
□ Burger buns (2 packs)
□ Hot dog buns
□ BBQ marinades/sauces
□ Coleslaw (large tub)
□ Potato salad (large tub)
□ Green salad bags (2-3)
□ Cherry tomatoes
□ Corn on the cob (optional)

Snacks & Nibbles

Keep energy levels up throughout the day:

Savory Snacks

□ Crisps/chips (variety packs, 3-4)
□ Nuts (mixed, salted)
□ Hummus & dips (2-3 tubs)
□ Breadsticks or crackers
□ Cheese board selection
□ Cherry tomatoes
□ Carrot sticks, peppers, cucumber
□ Pretzels or popcorn

Sweet Treats

□ Chocolate (selection bags)
□ Biscuits/cookies (variety, 3-4 packs)
□ Cake or brownies
□ Sweets/candy
□ Ice cream (if freezer space)

Drinks

Hot Drinks

□ Tea bags (2 large boxes – everyone drinks tea!)
□ Coffee (instant, ground, or pods depending on facilities)
□ Hot chocolate
□ Milk (4-6 litres, or plant-based alternatives)
□ Sugar

Soft Drinks

□ Orange juice (2-3 litres)
□ Water (large multi-pack)
□ Fizzy drinks/sodas (variety)
□ Cordial/squash
□ Sports drinks (optional)

Alcoholic Drinks

□ Prosecco/champagne (12-18 bottles for 15 people)
□ Wine (red & white, 8-12 bottles)
□ Beer/cider (variety cases)
□ Spirits (vodka, gin, rum – 3-4 bottles)
□ Mixers (tonic, cola, lemonade – 12-pack each)
□ Cocktail ingredients (limes, lemons, mint)

🍾 Money-Saving Tip

Buy drinks from Aldi or Lidl to save significantly. Their prosecco (£5-7/bottle) is just as good as expensive brands, saving you £300+ for a group weekend!

Kitchen & Household Essentials

Basic Supplies (Check what's provided first!)

□ Tin foil
□ Cling film
□ Kitchen roll (2-3 rolls)
□ Bin bags (large, 2 packs)
□ Washing up liquid
□ Dishwasher tablets
□ Sponges/scourers
□ Tea towels (extra are always useful)

Cooking Basics (if not provided)

□ Cooking oil
□ Olive oil
□ Salt & pepper
□ Mixed herbs/spices
□ Stock cubes
□ Tomato ketchup
□ Mayonnaise
□ Brown sauce

Party & Celebration Supplies

Decorations

□ Balloons (NO confetti balloons allowed)
□ Banners/bunting
□ Fairy lights
□ Photo props
□ Table decorations
□ Candles (LED for safety)

Tableware & Party Extras

□ Plastic cups (large pack)
□ Paper plates (if you want disposables)
□ Paper napkins
□ Straws
□ Cocktail stirrers/picks

Personal & Bathroom Items

Shared Bathroom Supplies

□ Toilet roll (check what's provided, bring extra)
□ Hand soap (extra bottles)
□ Tissues
□ Cotton wool/pads

Hot Tub Essentials (if using)

□ Towels (bring your own)
□ Robes/cover-ups
□ Flip-flops
□ Waterproof phone case

Entertainment & Activities

Don't Forget to Bring

□ Board games/card games
□ Speakers/music playlists
□ Phone chargers
□ Camera/phone for photos
□ Costumes/themed outfits (if planned)
□ Activity supplies (craft materials, etc.)

Shopping Strategy for Groups

Option 1: Bulk Shop (Recommended)

One or two people do a big shop before arrival:

Pros: Efficient, can be done online with delivery, everyone chips in equally
Cons: Upfront cost, needs organization
Tip: Create a shared pot/fund where everyone transfers their share in advance

Option 2: Assigned Categories

Split the list and assign different people to bring different things:

Pros: Spreads cost, no one person does everything
Cons: Risk of things being forgotten, harder to coordinate
Tip: Use a shared document to track who's bringing what

Budget Breakdown Example

For 15 people over 2 nights (6 meals):

Breakfast supplies (all mornings)£80-100

Main meals (2-3 dinners)£150-200

Snacks & nibbles£60-80

Drinks (soft & alcoholic)£200-250

Household/kitchen supplies£30-40

Total£520-670

Per person (÷15)£35-45pp

Final Tips

Overestimate slightly – Running out is worse than having leftovers
Check dietary requirements – Note any allergies, vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free needs
Keep receipts – Makes splitting costs easier
Plan one nice meal out – Saves cooking fatigue and creates memories
Bring containers – For leftovers to take home
Don't forget breakfast day 1 – Arrive with something simple to eat that evening/next morning

The Ultimate Self-Catering Group Shopping List for Your Stay