Total Candy
35.0 lbs
Jars
9
Per Variety
5.8 lbs
Cost
$420
Total Candy Needed
35.0
pounds (560 oz)
Containers
9
Per Guest
$5
Total Cost
$420
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Inputs
Result
Buffet: 80 × 3 oz = 240 oz. Bags: 80 × 4 oz = 320 oz. Total = 560 oz = 35 lbs. 35 lbs / 6 varieties = 5.8 lbs each. Containers: ceil(560/64) = 9. Cost: 35 × $12 = $420.
Inputs
Result
Buffet only: 40 × 3 oz = 120 oz = 7.5 lbs. 7.5 / 4 varieties = 1.9 lbs each. Containers: ceil(120/32) = 4. Cost: 7.5 × $8 = $60.
Plan for 2–3 ounces of candy per guest for the buffet display, plus 4–6 ounces if providing take-home bags. For mixed premium candy, that is 3 oz per guest on the buffet. An 80-guest event needs about 15 lbs of candy for display alone, or 35 lbs with take-home bags included.
| Candy Type | Oz/Guest | 80 Guests (lbs) | Cost/lb | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Candy | 2 | 10 | $6 | $60 |
| Chocolate | 3 | 15 | $10 | $150 |
| Gummy | 2.5 | 12.5 | $7 | $88 |
| Mixed Premium | 3 | 15 | $12 | $180 |
A well-stocked candy buffet has 5–8 varieties. Fewer than 5 looks sparse; more than 10 becomes overwhelming and expensive. The sweet spot is 6–7 varieties with a mix of textures: something chocolate, something sour/gummy, something hard/crunchy, and something nostalgic or themed.
Use a mix of medium (64 oz) and large (128 oz) containers. For 80 guests with 6 varieties, each variety gets about 2.5 lbs — a 64-oz jar holds that perfectly. Use 2–3 large apothecary jars as visual anchors and fill gaps with smaller jars. Total containers: 8–12 for most events.
A candy buffet costs $1.50–$4 per guest depending on candy quality. Budget candy (hard candy, taffy) runs about $6/lb; premium chocolate and specialty candy runs $10–15/lb. For 80 guests with mixed premium candy, expect $150–200 for candy alone, plus $30–50 for containers and scoops.
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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026
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