December fills up quickly. Between work parties, family get-togethers and friends who only manage to meet once a year, the same few weekends are wanted by everyone. If you're hosting this year, here's how we'd plan it.

Pick the style before the menu

The way you want people to eat matters more than any single dish.

  • A seated dinner suits a smaller group at home, where the meal is the event. It's the most relaxed for you as host, because everything arrives at the table. See private dinners.
  • A sharing feast puts big platters down the middle of the table. It's generous and sociable, and it works brilliantly for families with mixed appetites. Our sharing feast menu gives you an idea.
  • A buffet or bowl food is best when people are mingling, standing or coming and going, like an office party or an open house.
  • Canapés work for drinks before a meal out, or a short early-evening gathering.

Christmas food doesn't have to mean turkey

Plenty of our clients want something festive that isn't a repeat of the 25th. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder, smoked brisket or spiced pork ribs all feel celebratory and suit winter. They're cooked low and slow, so they're ready when your guests are rather than at an exact minute. Something like Persian love cake or a rich chocolate brownie makes an easy pudding to share.

If you'd like the classics, that's fine too. Every menu is written for you.

Think about everyone at the table

Christmas parties tend to bring together people you don't usually cook for: colleagues, partners, grandparents, children. Ask about allergies and dietary needs when you send the invite, and pass them on early. We plan vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly dishes into the menu from the start, so nobody ends up with a sad plate of sides. There's more on that in our guide to catering for dietary needs.

For office parties

If you're organising for work, a few details save headaches later:

  • confirm numbers a week or so ahead, and agree when final changes can be made
  • check what the venue or office has: fridge space, tables and somewhere to plug things in
  • decide whether food is delivered ready to serve, or set out and cleared away for you

Our office catering page explains how we work with businesses across Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Book early

December weekends are the first dates to go. Check our availability, or send your date, rough numbers and the kind of party you have in mind, and we'll come back to you with ideas and a quote.