Big Christmas party trends we love (and the questions everyone's asking)
Your festive party questions, answered by the Archies team
Christmas party season is nearly here, and the questions are already landing in our inbox. What's in this year? What's on its way out? And how do you throw a party your team will still be talking about in January? We've gathered the ones we hear most and answered them below.
Is the formal sit-down Christmas dinner still a thing?
It is, but it's no longer the only option. More hosts are trading three courses at a long table for something looser and more social: bowl food, grazing stations and generous sharing platters that keep people moving and talking. You still get the feast. You just lose the seating plan politics. If you love a proper sit-down, we're all for it, especially with family-style service where the food comes to the table and everyone helps themselves.
What's replacing the classic turkey dinner?
Nothing is replacing it outright. We're seeing it reinvented instead. Think slow-roasted turkey crown sliders with cranberry and sage, pigs in blankets turned into proper grown-up canapés, and Christmas dinner bowl food served in one hearty, warming portion. The flavours everyone expects, in a form that suits a party rather than a Sunday lunch.
Are food stations worth it for a big party?
Absolutely, and they're one of our favourite trends. A well-planned station creates a moment people gather around. Think a carving station, a raclette cheese station with all the trimmings, or a dessert bar piled with mince pie variations. Stations also help with numbers: guests spread out naturally, queues stay short and the room keeps its buzz.
What are guests drinking this year?
Low and no is here to stay. A good Christmas party now has alcohol-free options that feel as considered as the cocktails, not a jug of orange juice in the corner. On the boozy side, warm drinks are having a moment: mulled wine, spiced cider and hot toddies served on arrival set the tone before anyone has taken their coat off. A signature festive cocktail named after your team or venue is a small touch that always lands.
How do we cater for different dietary needs without it feeling like an afterthought?
Build them in from the start. The best menus we write this season are the ones where the plant-based dish is the one everyone wants to try, not a lonely alternative. Clear labelling, a balanced mix across the menu and a caterer who asks the right questions early make all the difference. Nobody should have to hunt for something they can eat at a celebration.
Is late-night food a must?
We'd go as far as to say yes. When the dancing starts, a late-night snack is the most appreciated thing you can serve. Mini fish and chip cones, cheeseburger sliders, toasties or a hot chocolate cart will be remembered long after the speeches are forgotten. It also keeps the party going and gets everyone home in better shape.
How are people making their party feel more personal?
By leaning into the details. We're seeing interactive moments like build-your-own hot chocolate bars, dishes inspired by where the team has been this year, and menus that nod to the host's own traditions. Seasonal, local produce adds to that story too. Guests notice when food has been thought about rather than picked off a list.
Does sustainability matter at Christmas parties now?
More and more. Hosts are asking about seasonal British ingredients, reducing food waste and cutting back on single-use serve ware. The good news is that it usually makes the food better too. Winter veg, game and British cheeses are at their best this time of year, and planning quantities carefully means generous plates without waste.
What about the venue? Are people still going big?
Big parties are very much back, but the venue brief has changed. Hosts want spaces with character: warehouses, rooftops, marquees and private rooms that feel like somewhere worth dressing up for. The best parties blend the space, the food and the atmosphere so it all feels like one experience rather than a room with a buffet in it.
When should we book our Christmas party catering?
As soon as you can. December dates, particularly the Thursdays and Fridays before Christmas, go quickly for venues and caterers alike. Getting in early gives you the widest choice, more time to taste and refine your menu, and one less thing to think about during the busiest month of the year.
What's the one trend you'd never skip?
Generosity. Whatever the format, the parties that stay with people are the ones where the food is plentiful, the drinks keep flowing and the hosting feels warm rather than stiff. That's what Christmas is about, and it's what we love doing best.
Planning your Christmas party? Whether it's a festive reception for 50 or a full-blown celebration for 500, the Archies team would love to help.
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