Holiday party planning can be a breeze
Planning the perfect holiday party can be a mixture of feeling excited and overwhelmed. After all, the holidays are already hectic enough!
Read on for popular ways to host the perfect holiday party everyone will love. We want to help you make this year the best holiday season yet!
Make Holiday Hosting
Want to actually enjoy your holiday party alongside your guests? By outsourcing your party planning and catering, you can enjoy making memories and rubbing shoulders at your event, instead of refilling drinks and appetizer trays!
While some caterers only provide food-related services, others such as Avalon Catering offer full-scale event planning services alongside delicious farm-to-table cuisine.
Avalon Catering can help with everything from menu planning to décor, equipment rentals, and vendor recommendations. For 30+ years, our team has helped clients create festive atmospheres and menus that delight guests and result in lifelong memories.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate family get-together or a large-scale corporate event, a professional catering company and/or event planner can help ease your schedule and mind. Consider it your holiday gift to yourself!
Serve Menu Options
Is Aunt Carol’s new boyfriend gluten-free? Is Adeline in accounting a pescatarian or a vegan? Eliminate the guesswork by serving an inclusive menu everyone will love!
A caterer or event planner can guide you through menu options that cover everyone’s dietary needs. Additionally, look for a caterer whose menus specify which options are gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and so on. Remember to include mocktails and non-alcoholic options at the bar as well!
Sample Inclusive Holiday Menu from Avalon Catering:
GF: gluten-free, NF: nut-free, VEG: vegetarian, DF: dairy-free
Passed Hors D’oeuvres:
- Woodsmoke provisions smoked salmon, dill créme fraiche, jalapeño parm crisp (GF + NF)
- Petite brie grilled cheese over roasted apple and parsnip soup + shot, spoon (VEG + NF)
- Pear and walnut compote, sgd green hill cheese + rice cracker (GF + VEG)
- Classic hummus, smoked paprika, crisp cucumber round (GF + VEGAN + DF + NF)
Dinner Buffet:
- Tender local lettuces, sliced pears, shaved celery, crumbled blue cheese + champagne vinaigrette (GF + VEG + NF)
- Grainy mustard and rosemary rubbed creekstone tenderloin of beef, roasted, sliced, presented on a platter w. rosemary garnish w. red wine shallot sauce + horseradish cream (GF + NF)
- h&f yeast rolls + whipped butter (VEG + NF)
- Orange and balsamic glazed bone-in springer mountain chicken thighs w. fresh orange wedges and chopped parsley (GF + NF)
- Chef’s collection of olive oil roasted winter squash finished w. shallot-thyme oat crumble and fresh pomegranate arils (GF + VEG + NF)
- Grilled haricot verts w. caramelized fennel and toasted cumin walnuts (GF + DF + VEGAN)
- Crispy fingerling potatoes, black pepper sour cream drizzle, fresh thyme (GF + VEG + NF)
- Organic carrot and parsnip slaw w. sundried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, scallions and dried coconut tossed w. georgia ginger vinaigrette (GF + VEG + DF + NF)
Desserts:
- Flourless chocolate torte, poured chocolate ganache, fresh berries (GF + VEG + NF)
- Bars: brown butter butterscotch, salted dulce de leche brownie, red velvet cream cheese, and figgy cheesecake bar with rosemary graham (VEG + NF)
- Bars: peppermint white chocolate bark (GF + VEG + NF)
- Cookies: Avalon signature winter sugar, candied orange shortbread, chocolate espresso crinkle, and raspberry thumbprint (VEG + NF)
- Date and mixed nut truffle w. coconut (RAW + GF + VEGAN + DF)
Plan a Activity
Keep everyone entertained at your holiday party by planning fun activities during your event. Your caterer and/or event planner can recommend and help you implement creative holiday party ideas to ensure your party is engaging and fun for all. Below are some suggestions to get started!
Fun holiday party activities:
- “Favorite Things” gift swap (wrap your favorite thing & swap White Elephant style!)
- Decorate & sign holiday cards from the group for those who couldn’t make it
- Rent a karaoke setup
- Host an “ugly holiday sweater” contest
- Hire a live band, string quartet, or DJ
- Put a holiday movie on your TV (on mute) to set a festive mood
- Set up a cookie or gingerbread house decorating station
- Rent a photo booth (and props!)
- Partner with a local nonprofit to collect holiday toy or meal donations for families
Pro Tip: Add a Bar
Looking for a crowd-pleasing idea kids and adults will love? You can’t go wrong with a hot chocolate bar! Let guests DIY their own creations by setting out a buffet of marshmallows, mini candy canes, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, caramel drizzle, whipped cream, and other toppings alongside hot cocoa.
Avalon’s team can manage all the logistics and ensure the hot chocolate stays flowing throughout your event! We’re also equipped to dress up your station with balloons, seasonal flowers, and festive tablecloths to help set a fun and inviting tone for guests.
