Christmas is nearing and as the holiday season arrives, so does the age-old question – to cook or to cater? In some cases, it’s obviously more economical to cook for your holiday gathering yourself – but we think you’d be surprised by how economical catering your Christmas party can be in the long run. You could save time, effort, and money by investing in catering for your holiday fête – now that’s really something to celebrate!
Catering Saves Time and Effort
If time is money, catering should always be your first choice for a holiday soirée. Catering means you spend much less time in the kitchen and more time charming your guests and enjoying the party you worked so hard to pull together! A good catering company will provide the food as well as a package that includes cutlery (disposable or silver), serviettes, heat lamps if needed, and much more. Some caterers will also be happy to rent you stools, table settings, dishes, chairs – anything you need to make the food involved a success!
However, the economy of catering relies on scale. The larger your gathering, the lower the cost per person will be. So if you’re having a get together of fewer than ten people, we may suggest catering the food for convenience, but it would likely be cheaper to pull it together on your own.
Lower Your Food Wastage
Another cost involved in hosting a large Christmas party is food waste. Do you know how many eggs you need to buy to make deviled eggs for 40 people? Or how many gallons of juice you should grab for the punch for a two-hour party versus an all-night affair? It’s always better to have too much than too little when you’re hosting, so many people end up drastically miscalculating and overspending by at least a hundred dollars. And that’s food that’s likely going to go to waste after the party – you can’t eat eight pounds of shrimp cocktail on your own after all!
Because we’ve been catering parties of all sizes for years, we know exactly how much chicken to buy and how many extra napkins you’ll need. We’re precision experts. And because we buy in bulk from our local sources, we’re able to get deals that the average person just can’t beat at the grocery store.
Questions To Ask Your Caterer Before Your Big Party
What’s included in the final price?
When you compare prices for catering your Christmas party, make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. One catering company may seem to be a steal, but end up costing you more in the long run with add-ons and hidden fees. Make sure to ask about things that are commonly not included in the quoted price, like:
- Additional fees like taxes and tips
- Bar costs – these will be separate from the food and from non-alcoholic beverage service
- Equipment – if you need chairs, tables, serving platters, etc. make sure to mention them upfront and make sure they’re included in the final quote
- Set up and clean up – avoid sticker shock by ensuring that these are included in the quote and not charged by the hour to be billed after the fact
Most companies do include these prices in their quotes, but it’s always better to ask up front than get an unpleasant surprise.
Can you accommodate my dietary needs?
It’s very common these days to have guests who are paleo, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, halal, or who have a food allergy. You should also consider whether your menu is appropriate for younger children and other picky eaters. Even if the caterer came recommended for their ability to handle special requests, you’ll want to be as clear as possible about your preferences and needs so the chef can work around them and help you build an inclusive menu.
If you have any other questions about catering your Christmas party or another holiday event, contact Vibrant Occasions – Arkansas’ most delicious caterers! We’d be happy to help you develop the perfect Christmas menu for your celebration this holiday season.
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