I agree with ‘from Long Island,’ the first step is a deep breath. Then LISTS!
What you buy/invest in will depend on a few factors:
Is this going to be a one-time thing or is this just the first year you will be making and you hope/plan to continue making for many years? If the first then you probably want to buy only a minimum of stuff & just manage with bare basics for this week, if your starting your “Pesach collection” then it makes sense to invest in certain things.
What’s your budget like? can you afford to do nice disposables or are you better off buying a cheaper set of dishes & cutlery? Can you get cleaning help? can you buy takeout the week b4 Pesach?
What minhagim/chumros do you have for Pesach (other than gebroks)? Can you buy processed ingredients or will you be making everything from scratch? do you need to peel all of your fruits/veggies? are there any items you don’t use? (also can you use things that fell on the floor? We don’t so I have alot of duplicates for things I can’t be without- knives, peelers, etc.) If you aren’t sure, make sure you clarify this ASAP.
How much help will you have over Pesach?
How fancy do you like your food?
Will you be kashering your oven/stove/sinks/counters or do you need to buy replacements or cover them?
Now for a basic list:
Cleaning/covering:
various cleaning supplies (depending on your surfaces)
covering material for counters/fridge/cabinets/stove- there are lots of choices, depending where you live, if you need guidance on this, let us know.
Real items-generally get better quality if you will be using for many years:
knives (the sizes you usually use)
cutting board (even if you usually cut on your counter- covered counters are different)
Pots-you can do it with 1-2 large ones plus a decent fry pan for meat (and a pot and fry pan for dairy if you want, you can also get pareve-I use it for hard-cooked eggs & boiled potatoes so that they can be used for meat meals & dairy without worrying). More pots mean more things can cook at once. I love my deep, covered, non-stick fry pan for pesach- I use it to cook the food for the Seder and it’s amazing.
peelers- whichever kind you like- remember there are alot of potatoes to peel so get good ones
cooking utensils (any you use)-spatula, ladle, spoon, slotted spoon, tongs,
urn- if you want hot water on Shabbos/YT
crockpot- if you use one (also great for Chol Hamoed suppers)
mixer- this depends on what you will be making- If you’re doing alot of cakes, get a stand mixer
food processor- I use my Pesach one more than my Chametz one. grating marror, making charoset, salads,etc
juicer- if you don’t buy fruit juices this can be very important
can opener- if you used processed products
cork screw- even if you don’t buy cork wines (someone might bring you one & that can be really awkward)
measuring cups/spoons- if you will be baking or generally follow recipes exactly
Baking sheets/pans- depending what you are planning to make (disposables are generally fine)
kitchen shears- if you use them
Dishes- You can do all disposable:
serving- depends what you will be serving & if you serve family style and plate each persons food: platters, large bowls, small bowls (even if you usually don’t use you will need for the seder for additional salt water, marror, charoset, etc), something for salt
eating- you will need extras of EVERYTHING!!
kosos- we got small crystal glasses that are the shuir- glass is better for the wine then silver.
pitchers- unless your drinks come in bottles
other non-foods:
foil
parchment paper
dish soap
sponges (shabbos ones too if you use them)
paper towels
dish towels
kitchen hand towels (if you don’t use your chametz ones)
containers
ziploc bags
dish drainers or mats (or you can let stuff dry on towels)
candles or oil for nairos
matches
toothpicks
bentchers (or you can use hagados all week)
hagados
matza cover (or use a napkin)
k’ara
kos shel eliyahu
For food-it really depends on your menu- once you have an idea of what you want to make sit down and make a list of EVERY ingredient (including spices, salt, sugar. oil, etc). Then go through a regular week in your mind and add all the things you use (milk, ketchup, chips, whatever). Add the seder items (I like to go through each step of the seder & list everything we need for that step) If you buy processed stuff- that’s your basic list. If not, break down the components into what you will need to make them.
Hope this was helpful! You CAN do this!!