Party planning guides & charts
Reference charts and plain-language guides for holidays, cookouts and receptions, with the numbers worked out and links to the calculators you will need.
- Turkey thawing and cooking chartUSDA’s turkey charts in one place: how much to buy per person, fridge and cold-water thawing times, and roasting times at 325 °F stuffed and unstuffed.
- Food quantity chart for a crowd: 25, 50 and 100 peopleHow much food for 25, 50 or 100 people: meat, turkey, ham, potatoes, pasta, salads, beans, rolls, dessert, punch, soda and ice, from extension tables.
- Cake serving chart: round, square, sheet and tiered cakesHow many servings in a cake, by pan: Wilton’s party and wedding chart for round, square, sheet, heart and hexagon cakes, plus one-layer and tiered cakes.
- Table seating chart: how many people per table, and tables for your guestsHow many people fit at 48, 60 and 72 inch round tables and 6 and 8 ft banquet tables, how many tables for 30 to 200 guests, and the floor space they need.
- Tablecloth size chart for round and rectangular tablesTablecloth sizes for round 30 to 72 in tables and 4, 5, 6 and 8 ft banquet tables, at lap, halfway and floor-length drops, with the standard rental sizes.
- Party food safety: the 2-hour rule, buffets, coolers and leftoversHow long food can sit out at a party (USDA’s 2-hour rule), safe hot and cold holding temperatures, cooking temperatures, buffets, coolers and leftovers.
- Thanksgiving dinner planner: how much food for 8, 12 or 20How much turkey, potatoes, stuffing, rolls and pie for Thanksgiving, by guest count — with USDA thawing and roasting times and a countdown timeline.
- Super Bowl party food: how much for a game-day crowdHow much food for a Super Bowl or game-day party: wings per person, pizzas, sliders, dips, drinks and ice for 10, 20 or 30 guests, with food-safety timing.
- Wedding reception quantities for 100 guestsTables, linens, tent, dance floor, appetizers, buffet food, cake, toast, drinks, ice and napkins for a 100-guest wedding reception, with the math.
- Graduation party food: how much for an open houseHow much food for a graduation open house: plan for 60% of invited guests, then pulled pork or sandwiches, sides, cake, punch and drinks per guest.
- Party planning words, explainedPlain-English meanings of party and catering words: per head, cooked yield, half pan, chafing dish, drop, 60 in round, half barrel and standard drink.
- Keg size chart, plus wine and liquor bottle sizesKeg sizes in gallons, 12 oz beers and pints — half barrel, quarter, sixth and mini kegs — plus glasses per wine bottle and shots per liquor bottle.
- How to stock a party bar: beer, wine, liquor and mixersHow much beer, wine and liquor for a party bar, from drinkers, drinks each and standard pours, with mixers, ice, glassware and responsible serving.