Holiday Catering Menus and Ideas for Your Chicago Christmas Party
Holiday Catering Menus and Ideas for Your Chicago Christmas Party
It's that time of the year again in Chicago and across the nation, the temperature is dropping and we're overtaken by that familiar nostalgic spell and a very specific joy that is unique to this time of year. Chicago is aglow with twinkling lights, colorful displays and other holiday adornments. Like a soft blanket, the holiday spirit envelops us, filling us with warmth and affection. It's a season marked by festive decorations, shopping malls, family gatherings and of course, good food! The holiday dinner is something those young and old alike look forward to. It's that one dinner where everyone gets a get out of jail free card and diets are for the moment obsolete. Turkey that falls off the bone, warm rolls straight from the oven and cakes and pies that make your mouth water are just a few of the traditional favorites that will adorn tabletops this holiday season.
The fact that these holiday dinners are so near and dear to everyone's heart can put a lot of pressure on those tasked with decorating, organizing and preparing food for these special gatherings. Often these parties will include a long guest list of cousins, distant relatives, their spouses, friends and many more. Preparing this large quantity of food in itself is a challenge, but having to go the extra mile and prepare delectable delicacies and festive cuisine to impress this volume of people can be downright anxiety-inducing. For this reason, many seek the services of a professional Chicago catering service.
There are many catering companies in Chicago that specialize in holiday catering and event planning. If you've been given the overwhelming task of providing food and entertainment for a very large holiday party, be it a big family gathering, office party, student event, church ceremony or any other social gathering, you would likely benefit from seeking out the services of a Chicago caterer.
Pre-planning is crucial for your holiday event, you need to start at least a month and a half in advance to make sure you have ample time to get everything right. There are several steps you can take to help you and your Chicago catering company plan out a holiday party people will be talking about all year long.
Set a Date - This is of course the first step you need to take. The holidays are one of the most difficult times to plan around on account of so much going on. People often have many holiday events to attend at this time, including gatherings on both sides of their families as well as office parties and get-togethers with friends. Set the date for your party early, at least a month and a half before, and take into consideration other holiday events friends and family have planned. Setting a date for your holiday party early will also allow guests ample time to make arrangements for travel is necessary.
Create a Guest List - Make a guest list based on the friends and family members you would like to attend your holiday event. It is a good idea to identify out-of-town guests so that you can be sure and send them their invitations early so they can make arrangements. Also, try to get a head count of the number of children attending as well so that you can prepare appropriate activities and holiday crafts for them if you like.
Determine Event Location - More often than not, holiday parties are held at the home of the host. This gives the party a more cozy and warm feel. However, your home may not be able to accommodate the number of guests you have attending. If this is the case, you need to start looking for a venue that will be appropriate for your type of party. Make sure you select a venue that is conducive to the style of catering you plan on having, be it buffet style, cocktail party or sit-down dinner. You also need to check with the venue beforehand to see if they will allow you to bring in your own Chicago caterer. Many venues will have a list of "approved caterers" or will require you to use the venue's catering staff. Make sure the venue is also flexible and will accommodate your plans for seasonal decorating or entertainment you wish to provide.
Select a Theme - While not necessary, picking a theme for your party can make it easier to plan decorations. Christmas parties have a variety of themes, from Winter Wonderland, to the North Pole to something fun and less formal like a tacky Christmas sweater party.
Create and Send Invitations - While fashioning elegant paper invitations to send through the mail is the traditional way to invite guests to your holiday party, there are a number of online tools you can also use to let guests know about your event. Eco-friendly options include online services like Evite, MyPunchBowl, Pingg and social networking sites like Facebook. However, you should take into account who your guests are. If it is a family event with many older relatives, your best bet is to send invitations via mail. However, if your guest list is made up of a younger crowd, then making a Facebook Event invite or sending invitations through the mail may be more efficient.
Plan an Appropriate Menu - Be sure and get a final guest list so that you can ensure your Chicago caterer will prepare enough food for everyone. Holiday menus typically consist of down home cooking and an array of comfort foods. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn, casseroles, sweet rolls and other home-style favorites frequently make an appearance on the table at most holiday parties. Desserts are a big part of seasonal events as well. Customarily sweets like sugar cookies, fudge, pumpkin pie, peach cobbler, carrot cake and other favorites will be a few of the confectionary treats your guests will expect. However, don't be afraid to step outside the box and serve up something new and unique, but again, keep in mind who your guests are.
Plan Seasonal Decorations - The decorations are one of the key components of a successful holiday party. The ornamentation of your event should embody the spirit of the season. For Christmas, stick to colors like red green, white and blue. For Thanksgiving, use lots of browns, oranges and yellows. Depending on the seasonal event, typical decorations for holiday parties include decked out Christmas trees, wreathes, pine cones, white glitter, elegant ribbons and pumpkins. Most Chicago catering companies will be able to help you with the decorating aspect and table arrangements at your party as well.
Holiday catering is a great way to boost the morale of a company's staff members and take employees' minds off of work and have a little fun together. If you are planning a large home party with family or friends this year, teaming up with a Chicago based caterer like Corky's Catering or Cork Catering is a great way to serve traditional holiday catering fair without having to slave away in the kitchen and miss those important moments. Don't wait till the last minute though, many Chicago caterers book up fast during the holiday season, and you want to be sure to secure the very best for your special holiday event! Why Snow Tires Are Important From Springfield Kia Compliment the summer sun with a stylish conservatory Enjoy Your Holiday with the Perfect Norwich Hotels Sydney Coaches Service in Australia Makes Your Trip Memorable Buckingham Palace 'popular among those staying in London hotels' Barcelona Travel Guide Get the pool you want this summer Serenity Travel How Many Holiday Product Email Blasts Are Just Too Many? Package Holidays in Goa MO Based Taxi Companies: Providing Top Notch Travel Alternatives Ethical fashion celebrity endorsements Exciting Agra Holiday Packages