Start with the shape of the party
Before choosing dishes, decide what kind of event it is. A sit-down festive lunch for a team needs plated or buffet food with all the trimmings. A drinks-led evening party needs hot, hand-held food that can be eaten standing up. An outdoor gathering in a courtyard, car park or garden needs food that keeps people warm and a serving setup that copes with the weather.
Once you know which, the menu almost writes itself. Our Christmas party catering page explains what we offer for each style, and the Christmas menu shows sample dishes.
Festive food ideas that work
Roast turkey with the trimmings
The traditional centrepiece. Carved roast turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and pigs in blankets, served plated or as a buffet. Ideal for a Christmas lunch.
Festive hog roast rolls
Slow-roast pork in a soft roll with stuffing, apple or cranberry sauce and crackling. Hot, hand-held and very popular at evening parties.
Pigs in blankets
Arguably the most-loved part of any Christmas plate. As a side, a snack or tucked into a roll, they're rarely left over.
Outdoor hot-roll counter
A festive twist on BBQ-style catering: a cooking and serving station outside, handing out hot rolls to guests wrapped up in coats. Great for courtyards and yards.
Taking the party outdoors in December
It sounds counter-intuitive, but outdoor Christmas food can be brilliant. A hog roast or grill in a courtyard, a garden or a sheltered corner of a car park, with festoon lights and hot food, has a real winter market feel. People gather round the warmth of the cooking area and the smell does the rest.
Keep it practical. Hot, hand-held food works best: hog roast rolls, pigs in blankets, festive sausages in buns. Guests shouldn't need a knife and fork while holding a drink in gloves. Provide shelter and somewhere warm to retreat to, and think carefully about lighting, as it's dark by late afternoon.
The same logistics apply as any outdoor event: access, ground, power and a weather plan. Our outdoor catering checklist covers the lot.
Vegetarian and vegan festive options
A festive menu shouldn't leave anyone with just the sprouts. Plan proper meat-free mains, such as plant-based sausages, veggie burgers or halloumi served with festive trimmings, and make sure the sides work for them too.
Collect dietary requirements when people RSVP, and give your caterer numbers. We cook vegetarian and vegan dishes separately where requested and label everything at service. For allergies, we'll talk through ingredients; we handle a range of foods, so we can't rule out traces, but we'll be clear about what's in each dish.
Timings in December
The last few weeks before Christmas are the busiest of the year for caterers and venues. Friday evenings and the final working week are in especially high demand, so the earlier you book, the more choice you'll have. Many organisers start thinking about it in late summer or early autumn.
If your date is flexible, consider a Monday to Thursday, or an early December or even January party. Post-Christmas celebrations are increasingly popular: everyone's less frazzled, and it's something to look forward to in a quiet month.
On the day itself, remember how early it gets dark. For outdoor food, a lunchtime or early afternoon service is easier than a late evening one. For office parties, check building closing times and whether facilities staff need to stay on.
Matching ideas to your party
| Party type | Food idea | Service style |
|---|---|---|
| Office Christmas lunch | Roast turkey, pigs in blankets, trimmings, veggie main | Plated or carved buffet. See corporate catering. |
| Office evening drinks | Festive hog roast rolls and pigs in blankets | Carving counter, hand-held |
| Outdoor staff gathering | Hot rolls from a courtyard cooking station | Counter service, quick turnover |
| Family get-together at home | Hog roast or turkey with sides | Buffet in the house, cooking outside. See private parties. |
| Sports or social club party | Hog roast rolls, sausages, fries | Counter service |
| New Year or January party | Hog roast or BBQ-style hot food | Relaxed counter service |
Christmas party planning checklist
- Set the date and budget early, ideally by early autumn.
- Decide indoor, outdoor or a mix.
- Confirm the venue's rules on outside caterers and cooking.
- Collect dietary requirements with RSVPs.
- Plan a weather fallback if any of the event is outside.
- Check lighting and heating for evening events.
- Confirm final numbers with your caterer by their deadline.
- Request a quote with your date, numbers and venue postcode.
Christmas catering questions
Can you do a hog roast at Christmas?
Yes, and it's one of our most popular winter options. Festive hog roast rolls with stuffing and cranberry or apple sauce are ideal for evening parties.
Do you cater indoors in winter?
The cooking usually happens outside or in a suitable covered area, with food served indoors where the venue allows. We'll talk through the setup for your venue.
Can we have turkey and a hog roast?
You can. Some larger parties do both, for choice or to cover a lunch and an evening service. See the Christmas menu for ideas.
How early should we book for December?
As early as you can. Friday dates in the run-up to Christmas are always first to go.
