Planning an Office Holiday Party? Start With These 5 Things
Congratulations! You’re in charge of the office holiday party. Now what?
There’s plenty to celebrate at the end of the year, but if you’re the person responsible for planning the office holiday party catering, it can also mean one more thing on an already full plate. (See what we did there?)
Whether you’re organizing a casual team lunch, an end-of-year celebration, or a client appreciation event, there’s more to think about than just the menu. Coordinating schedules, estimating headcounts, and figuring out where and how to serve food are just a few of many details that can add up quickly.
Here’s some good news: You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start planning.
If you’re considering office holiday party catering in Baton Rouge, consider these five things to get the ball rolling without adding more stress to your day.
1. Start With Your Guest List and Budget
Before you start looking at menus, get a general idea of how many people you’re planning to feed and what you have available to spend.
Your guest count doesn’t have to be exact. Even a rough estimate can help your caterer recommend options that make sense for your group and budget.
A few questions to consider:
- Will the event include employees only? Are spouses, clients or other guests invited?
- Is the company covering the full cost?
- Are you planning for a complete meal, light bites or something in between?
Knowing your budget upfront can help narrow your options so you’re not spending time considering menus or serving styles that aren’t the right fit.
2. Think About the Kind of Gathering You’re Hosting
Not every office holiday party needs to be a formal event. Sometimes, a simple catered lunch in the conference room is exactly what the team needs.
Start by thinking about why you’re bringing everyone together and what you want the gathering to feel like. For example:
- A quick opportunity to celebrate with coworkers during the workday.
- A more relaxed afternoon where people can mingle.
- A larger event that brings employees, leadership and clients together.
The type of atmosphere you want to create can help guide everything from the menu and serving style to how much time you’ll need to set aside.
For example, a buffet may work well for a relaxed holiday celebration where you’d like to let guests serve themselves and mingle with one another. On the other hand, individually packaged meals might be more practical for a team lunch with a tighter schedule.
Not sure which serving style makes the most sense? Check out our guide to choosing between boxed lunches and buffet catering for your next office event.
There’s no single right way to celebrate. The goal is to choose an approach that works for your group.
3. Consider Your Space and Schedule
Where your event takes place matters just as much as what’s on the menu.
Before choosing your catering setup, think about how guests will move through the space and how much time they’ll have to eat.
Questions to ask:
- Is there enough room for a buffet or serving station?
- Will everyone be eating at the same time?
- Will guests be seated, standing or moving around?
- Is there a designated area for food setup and cleanup?
If you’re hosting in your own office, determine whether a conference room, breakroom or common area will comfortably accommodate your group.
If you’re having food delivered, consider where your caterer will unload and set up, especially if your office has limited parking or building access requirements.
And don’t forget about timing. If your event falls between meetings or during a busy workday, choosing a convenient serving style can help keep things running smoothly.
4. Choose a Menu That Works for Your Group
Now for the fun part: the food! (Are we the only ones who get excited about this part?)
Holiday catering doesn’t have to mean a traditional sit-down dinner. Depending on your event, you might prefer a buffet, individually packaged lunches or a selection of dishes that guests can enjoy while mingling.
Think about your guests’ preferences, the time of day and how you plan to serve the food to best fit the occasion.
It’s also helpful to consider dietary restrictions or special requests early in the planning process. While you may not have everyone’s preferences confirmed yet, knowing that you’ll need vegetarian options or other accommodations can help your caterer guide the conversation.
If you’re exploring corporate catering in Baton Rouge, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. An experienced catering team can help you find options that fit your gathering without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
5. Get the Conversation Started Early
One of the easiest ways to make holiday party planning less stressful is to give yourself time.
November and December calendars can fill up quickly, especially when you’re trying to coordinate multiple schedules, locations and vendors.
And remember, catering calendars fill up quickly, too! The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of securing your preferred date.
You don’t need a finalized guest list or menu to get moving. A preferred date, estimated headcount and general idea of what you’re planning are enough to start the conversation. You can work through the details as your event gets closer.
Not sure what makes sense for your office holiday party catering? That’s where we come in. Our team can help you narrow down the options and find the right fit for your celebration.
Make Office Holiday Party Catering a Little Easier With Carmen’s Catering
At Carmen’s Catering, we know the person planning the event usually has plenty of other responsibilities to juggle. That’s why we’re here to make the food one less thing you have to worry about.
Whether you’re feeding a small office team, hosting a company-wide celebration or planning a client appreciation gathering, we’re here to help you find a catering solution that fits your needs.
From weekday office lunches to holiday celebrations, our team works with businesses throughout Baton Rouge, St. George, Ascension, Livingston and surrounding areas to make feeding a group one less thing to worry about.
Have a holiday gathering on the calendar? Explore our catering menus or contact us to get the conversation started.