Another year is ending, and workplaces across the country are celebrating with holiday events. Whether you’re throwing a small office celebration or an extravagant company party, delicious food is a must. Providing festive foods and drinks is a great way to lift spirits and show your colleagues how much you appreciate their hard work. Looking for suggestions? We’ve put together some factors you should consider when ordering catering, as well as a list of five popular catering foods for the holidays. 

Factors to consider when catering for the holidays 

If you’ve ever attended a holiday party, you know the food can make or break the event. Ultimately, you want festive dishes that everyone can enjoy. Here are a few factors to consider when catering for the holidays: 

• Number of people 
• Dietary restrictions
• Different cultures and traditions 

First, consider how many people are attending. The more guests you have, the more dishes you’ll need. You can easily determine the right amount of food using ezCater’s quantity field. Keep in mind, your guest list is an ever-changing document — one where plus-ones can quickly become plus-twos. Once you have your headcount, take a page from Mr. Claus’s book and be sure to check it twice. And don’t forget to take dietary restrictions into account. There should be at least one dish everyone can safely eat. 

When selecting your dishes, be sure to stick with a festive theme. After all, you’re catering for a holiday celebration and not an ordinary work event. You can go with classic, seasonal favorites or give a nod to different cultures and holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. 

5 best holiday catering foods 

Coming up with festive food ideas that your colleagues will enjoy is easier said than done. To help you find inspiration, we’ve put together a list featuring some of the best food for catering during the holidays. 

1. Ham dinner 

If there’s one thing that screams “holidays,” it’s a honey-baked ham. You can serve it buffet-style with classic sides like green beans, macaroni, mashed potatoes, and rolls. Or, if you’re throwing a small event, you could let everyone choose their own holiday-catered dinner package instead.

Many restaurants offer customizable plates that allow every guest to handpick a couple of proteins as well as a few sides. For example, The Honey Baked Ham Company provides three mouthwatering meat options and a handful of indulgent side dishes like broccoli bacon bliss salad and smashed potato salad. Plus, thanks to the do-it-yourself (DIY) style of these packages, you don’t have to worry about meeting dietary preferences. Everybody gets to choose what they like. 

2. Foods that celebrate cultures and traditions

Winter brings cold weather, bright snow, and tons of cultural festivities. While some families are setting up trees to celebrate Christmas, others are lighting menorahs in honor of Hanukkah. Make your event more inclusive this year by including cultural catering foods like Jewish delicacies. 

Traditional Hanukkah food features everything from fried, smoky meat to sweet, delectable desserts. This may include brisket, potato latkes, kugel (an egg noodle casserole), and gelt (chocolate coins). You could also incorporate catered meals that pay homage to other holidays, like Kwanzaa. A typical Kwanzaa feast highlights Southern dishes such as collard greens and black-eyed peas. 

3. Soups and sandwich stations

Nothing warms the soul quite like a bowl of hot soup. Whether it’s a hearty serving of tomato soup or a seasonal butternut squash bisque, soup never fails to uplift moods. While the nature of soup doesn’t make it the easiest food to consume at lively parties, it’s great for more casual work events or small gatherings. 

If you’re looking for something to pair with soup, you can’t go wrong with sandwiches. What makes sandwiches a great option is that they’re highly customizable, letting you adapt to meet vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. 

4. Festive drinks station

You can’t have a holiday party without festive beverages. From hot cocoa and apple cider to peppermint mochas and cranberry punch, there’s no shortage of seasonal drink selections. Don’t forget about the alcoholic options; eggnog, mulled wine, and hot toddies are just a few of the boozy beverages available. 

In addition to providing ready-made drinks, you could cater ingredients for a build-your-own drinks station. Guests would start by selecting a base (such as coffee or hot chocolate), then add toppings like marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, or flavored syrups. A drinks station delivers delicious, personalized beverages while serving as a fun activity. 

5. Holiday cookie displays

No holiday party is complete without dessert. Although there are many festive desserts to choose from, you can never go wrong with holiday cookies. They’re nostalgic, easy to eat, and delicious. Plus, there are plenty of flavors available. You could stick with classic sugar cookie, go with a more innovative flavor like Italian Christmas cookies, or even an elaborate gingerbread house-themed display.

If you really want people to get into the holiday spirit, set up a cookie decorating station. A catered DIY station generally includes a simple cookie (like sugar cookies) and an assortment of toppings, such as frosting, sanding sugar, and sprinkles. It’s a great way to entertain guests and take your holiday event to the next level.

One final tip — streamline your food orders

We know that ordering food is just one of the many things you’ll do when planning your holiday party — and there are so many moving parts to creating a successful event. Put simply, your hands are full. ezCater is here to help with a streamlined ordering process that ensures your food will arrive on time, as ordered. With 100,000 restaurants nationwide, you’ll have access to both national and local favorites.