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Photo from Food & Wine

Steal these catering tricks for your holiday party this year!

 

Create a more casual vibe with an “open house” style party.

Save yourself a little stress by having guests can arrive as they please during your party. Your guests won’t feel the need to be exactly on time and those with a packed schedule will likely still stop by. Additionally, guest arrival time will be scattered allowing you time to chat with everyone at a more casual pace.

 

The science of food quantities.

You probably need less food than you think. Depending on the style of your event, here are some general guidelines:

Hors d’oeuvres 8 – 10 bites/servings per guest
Entrees and Salads Half catering pan per 10 – 12 guests
Side Dishes 1/4 pound per guest
Cocktails 1 1/2 drinks per hour per guest

 

Serve beautiful + room temperature appetizers.

Caterers know that hors d’oeuvres should look as good as they taste. Rather than lining your table with crock pots and tree shaped platters, try transforming your table into a never-ending cheeseboard with several room temperature antipasti options. In addition to being beautiful, this offers guests tons of grazing options and eliminates temperature concerns. Win, win, win!

 

Don’t underestimate the power of a hot drink.

Hot drinks are just too festive and fun to forget about. Greet guests with a glass of mulled wine or set up a DIY Spiked Hot Cocoa Bar incorporating festive mugs and a few flavors for guests to personalize their drinks.

 

A garbage plan will make your life easier.

Regardless of your menu and guest count, you will absolutely create tons of garbage. A catering trick is to line your garbages and recycling containers with opened bags, so when you grab a full bag, there’s another already waiting. Pure. Genius.

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