With the holiday season rapidly approaching it’s important for people to remind themselves the simple pleasures of the holiday season. Family, memories, laughs, rest, and relaxation. 

Between busy malls buying presents, baking cookies for your grade schoolers holiday celebration, and crazy traffic from holiday travelers, who has the time and resources to cook and enjoy their holiday celebration? As a wife, mom of 2, and a business owner, believe me I empathize completely. Having that holiday dinner party, family get together, or Friendsgiving catered, can make things a little more simple. 

Know what to ask your caterer

A good caterer should understand your needs for your function and accommodate what you are looking for. Using a caterer doesn’t have to be an all or nothing experience. It is important you communicate with your caterer so they understand any adjustments you might be looking for. Specific diet accommodations, kid-friendly options, or wanting that special home cooked recipe are all doable. If the caterer doesn’t know what you are looking for they will be making a blind recommendation. Usually they will need to know some basic information

• How many guests will you have?
• How you want to specialize your event?
• Are there any guests with dietary restrictions or allergies
• Most importantly your budget! It is important for you to understand what the implications are of asking for a plated dinner with a server for passed hors d’oeuvres and bartender vs. just having a caterer drop off buffet style trays and sterno cans. 

A few tips to keep the food for your holiday event budget friendly

Provide some of the food yourself! If you can get something simple like a cheese platter, fruit platter, or crudités tray, you’ll spend less getting that on your own. 

Do you need a full service plated dinner? If not, just get buffet style. It’s much easier for a caterer to only provide trays with sterno cans. That will provide the necessary food for your event and you can keep your cost low. This option unfortunately will likely put more work on the host or hostess, so keep that in mind. 

Don’t overdo it with your menu selections. You could keep it simple with an entree, couple of sides, and a dessert. That’s an example of a really basic menu that will keep your cost low. Also, There is nothing wrong with asking your guests to contribute by having them bring a dish! 

When it comes to being able to enjoy your time with family and making unforgettable memories, those moments are priceless. The real question is how much are those moments and less stress worth to you? Definitely something to think about. Hiring a caterer can take a few things off that busy holiday list and make that possible. Keep reminding yourself during this holiday season, it’s about the simple pleasures, take it all in and experience it!