happy people enjoying catered food

Great Options for Your Upcoming Christmas Party

The Christmas and winter holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers, so you can expect a busy season in 2019. If you’re in charge of planning any events from November through January, you might already be thinking about ideas on how to throw an unforgettable fete. However, time is running short. You’ll need to start setting up, the venue, New York holiday and event catering services, and many other details. For some inspiration, check out some options that are sure to put your guests in the mood.

Breakfast or Brunch:

You may not be able to fully replicate the joy of Christmas morning, but you can at least start with a good hearty meal. Most catering companies have a range of choices, from a light continental or oatmeal breakfast to a filling brunch with frittatas, quiches, and an array of tasty meats. If you want to treat your guests to an elegant morning, you might opt for smoked salmon with all the accoutrements or English tea sandwiches. You might consider fruit juice mimosas for a festive affair, but don’t forget the coffee if your event is work-related.

Christmas Carnival:

In many ways, the holidays are about the joy of being a child. There’s perhaps nothing more iconic about being a kid than going to the local carnival, street fair, or festival. Cotton candy, pretzels, hot dogs, mini sandwiches, and many other treats will bring back the days of walking down the carnival fairway. When you add fantastic Christmas décor, you can be sure the crowd will get into the holiday spirit. With the right planning and consultation with your caterer, you can create a fantastic winter wonderland that guests will remember for years to come.

Holidays in the Tropics:

The days are short and the weather is cold around New York come Christmastime, but there are ways to take your event attendees to a tropical paradise. Consider treating them to a day at the beach, Caribbean BBQ-style. For this Christmas-themed event, kabobs are a fun finger-food that enables your guests to mingle with other beach-goers. Jerk-seasoned meat and chicken skewers will fill the room with the amazing aroma of the tropics, and spicy peppers provide warmth. You can trust sides like coleslaw and potato salad to cool off the heat.

Just Desserts:

While you may not think about doing a sweets-only catered event the rest of the year, the holidays are a time to indulge. Plus, if you’re the one preparing the traditional Christmas dishes, you owe it to yourself to get a break when it comes to dessert. Fortunately, the range of catering options is substantial and varied. You might consider: 

  • Beautifully decorated cookie, brownie, and cupcake platters;
  • Exotic choices, like churros, Italian pastries, and baklava;
  • A table scape of French delicacies;
  • Healthy fruit skewers; or,
  • Go simple with a design-your-own ice cream sundae bar.

Of course, if your Christmas time event is a wedding, there’s nothing better than chocolate dipped strawberries to set the mood for romance.

Warm Up with Seasonal Soups:

Hot, liquid sustenance is a staple throughout the cold months, which is why it stands to reason that soups are ideal for holiday festivities in New York. Manhattan caterers offer a multitude of seasonal options fit for any appetite, nutritional preference, cuisine, or style. Warm your guests up with:

  • Split pea, carrot, mushroom barley, and other vegetable soups;
  • Hearty, creamy soups featuring asparagus, broccoli, and tomato; and,
  • Seasonal favorites like butternut squash and pumpkin.

 A Hometown Celebration:

People come from all over the world to enjoy Christmas in the Big Apple, but many are lucky enough to call NYC home at this special time of year. Celebrate your city during the holidays by putting the spotlight on the traditions and cuisine you love. The most popular Christmas meal options are also the most stress-free when you cater deli meats, fantastic breads, cheesecake, and other favorites. Have your guests put together their own creations, stacked high with cheeses, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and other accompaniments.

 Contact Us Today about Christmas Catering in Manhattan

 These are just a few ideas on how you can make a Christmas even special with food, beverages, and other aspects of the holiday experience. If you’d like to know more about how a catering professional can help, please contact the Manhattan office of Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering & Events. We can set up a consultation to review your objectives and outline plans for a memorable affair.

Thanksgiving Dinner by Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering

While food is an attractive for almost every holiday, few would dispute that the meal is the main attraction when it comes to Thanksgiving. There are countless age-old traditions associated with the festivities in the US, but plenty of new institutions have also crept into the holiday picture over the years. Anyone involved in planning an event must consider a wide range of options that will make a memorable impression on guests. When you retain New York holiday and event catering services, you have an edge on achieving this objective. A few Thanksgiving dinner ideas should get you started.

  1. Thanksgiving in Sandwich Form:

    For many people, the best part of Thanksgiving is the meals you make with the leftovers – especially the iconic turkey sandwich with all the accompaniments. There’s no reason to wait for this indulgence when you retain caterers who can deliver up the sliced bird, along with everything else that makes it a classic. In many ways, turkey sandwich service is even better. It’s freshly sliced and you’ll have a wider range of bread options, such as country, rustic, rye, whole-wheat seeded, wraps, any many more. You can also choose ham, roast beef, and roasted vegetables.

  1. Parade-Viewing and Passed Hors D’oeuvres:

    People consume a massive amount of food people at celebrations throughout the Thanksgiving weekend; some even have multiple meals during the 24 hours of the official holiday. If you’re adventurous, you might consider going light with appetizers in an open house style setting. It’s definitely different, but many of your guests will appreciate the chance to make a toast and nibble on a few bites – rather than sit down for an hours-long affair. Turn on the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, hire professionals to cater, and enjoy a casual, laid back event.

  1. Let the Pros Do the Cooking:

    When you want someone else to take the lead on every aspect of the Thanksgiving dinner, you can trust New York caterers to deliver everything down to the cranberry relish. Your holiday planning consists of consultation with a catering professional, explaining your needs, and then sitting down to relax as you entertain your guests. Many companies offer a build your own dinner buffet, featuring such options as:

  • Slow roasted turkey, ham, beef, or seafood;
  • Seasonal vegetables, prepared according to your choosing;
  • Different starch options, including mashed or baked potatoes, rice pilaf, pasta, and others;
  • Vegetable and starch salads;
  • Artisan breads;
  • Dessert; and,
  • Beverage service.

The best part is that plates, silverware, service, and related necessities are usually covered with a full service meal.

  1. Channel Your Inner Snoopy:

    Old school Peanuts fans remember “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” in which the hapless hero got help from his trusty beagle in fixing up Thanksgiving for friends. On the menu: Popcorn, accompanied by buttered toast, and other garnishes. This classic cartoon gets an upgrade with a popcorn machine themed event, another option that takes the holiday in a totally different, unexpected direction. Plus, steamy kernels covered in butter, cheese, caramel, and other toppings are nice for munching while watching football.

  1. Think Outside the Box:

    As much as we all love it, there may come a time when you crave something that’s distinctly NOT Thanksgiving. Asian fusion food provides a welcome departure. The distinctive flavors and tang are a pleasant departure from the rich, creamy foods associated with a turkey dinner. For example, sushi is a unique, communal experience that gets people in the holiday spirit. In addition, passed appetizers, such as shumai and other Asian dumplings, are easy as finger food. 

  1. Focus on the Sweets:

    If you’re determined to handle the bulk of the Thanksgiving dinner details on your own, nothing should stop you. But once you’ve prepared and carved the turkey, stirred the gravy, and cooked up all the sides, dessert may be the last thing from your mind. Since oven and stove space is usually at a minimum, let someone else do the work. Caterers can work out seasonal or custom menus for your holiday meal, complete with:

  • A cookie platter;
  • Brownies;
  • Festive cupcakes;
  • Exquisite pastries;
  • Fruit skewers; and,
  • Many other favorites.

Our Manhattan Thanksgiving Catering Professionals Can Assist with All Your Holiday Needs

No matter you envision the perfect Thanksgiving dinner for your event, you can count on a skilled catering company to make your dream a reality. To learn about your Thanksgiving dinner options and get more ideas, please contact Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering & Events. We can schedule a consultation to tell you more about our professional services.