Our Guide to Preparing Holiday Party Menus

man placing salad at dinner table

Introduction
We absolutely love holiday parties. They give us a great chance to get together with friends, catch up on each other's lives, and eat delicious food. But they also can be stressful if you don't plan ahead. As a restaurant, we enjoy hosting many different types of events—from birthday parties to wedding receptions. We've learned it pays off in the long run if you take some time before any event to think about what needs to happen in order to make it a success! So this year, when planning a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner party for your friends, make sure you have everything ready well beforehand so you can focus on enjoying your guests once everyone arrives. Read on for a few more of our tips!

Think about who will be coming to the party.
When you're planning your menu, it's important to think about who will attend your party. Consider their ages - young or older? Does anyone in the group have dietary restrictions or food allergies that need to be considered? You don't want to serve something someone can't eat or drink because of their food allergies or intolerances.

It's also best to know how many people are attending so you can estimate how much food, beverages, and funds are needed to have the event you have in mind. Running out of food is no fun when you're running around cooking and prepping!

Consider what foods and drinks will make your party unique.
Think about choosing food and drink options that will make your holiday party unique. Everyone has turkey and mashed potatoes, but is there something else your guests are sure to enjoy that would make your party stand out? If you're hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, maybe go for a cornbread stuffing with thyme and a maple glaze or cranberry relish instead of the traditional green bean casserole. If you're having friends over for Christmas or New Year's Eve, try making some tapas-style appetizers like breaded calamari or crostini with goat cheese and fig jam.

Taking time before guests arrive can help ensure the food at your holiday parties is fantastic—and who doesn't want their guests leaving saying they had an amazing enjoying amazing food?

Go for an easy appetizer. Then move on to the main course!
You've got a lot to think about when putting together a menu for your holiday party, but the one thing you shouldn't worry about is the appetizer. It's the simplest part of any meal, and it doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming to be delicious. If possible, choose something you can make ahead of time! And because appetizers are small portions, they're perfect for serving an array of different things in various ways.

Here are a few options:

  1. Stuffed mushrooms—make with a variety of ingredients like spinach or feta cheese; they also can be baked or fried

  2. Mini quiches—make with almost any combination of eggs, dairy products, and vegetables you want; they also can be served cold with fruit salad as an alternative to the main course

  3. Deviled eggs—another great option that works well in place of larger meat dishes at dinner parties

Take a look at The Leaf's menu for more ideas—and when you're ready to skip the planning, prep, and cooking, give us a call!

Pick a winning dessert. You can always play it safe with “chocolate” or “fruit-based,” but why not surprise your guests with something unique?

  1. Choose a variety of flavors. Is your party veggie heavy? Then it might be time to dust off that old pumpkin cheesecake recipe and introduce guests to this seasonal treat. Put your own twist on it by adding a cinnamon and sugar apple compote on top!

  2. Go for variety in texture throughout the meal. This can mean including anything from soft and creamy (garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes) to crunchy (roasted chickpeas).

Share your menu with guests in advance.
Social media has made connecting with others easier than ever before! Try posting an image of all your delicious food ideas, so everyone knows exactly what you're offering this year. They'll be so thrilled to see what's in store, and they'll have the opportunity to notify you of any dietary restrictions or concerns.


We hope we've provided some good inspiration and guidance for planning your next holiday party menu! Most importantly, don't get too bogged down in planning and wanting everything to be "perfect." You want to be sure to enjoy your family and friends and make memories together—your delicious menu and welcoming home will be the backdrop!

The Leaf, located in downtown Wooster, offers a vast menu making breakfast through dinner a delightful experience! Open Tuesday through Sunday, our culinary team creates amazing dishes that are sure to delight. Bring a friend or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest specials and new menu items. Make your reservations at OpenTable or by calling 330-804-0126. Interested in holding your next event at The Leaf? We are happy to accommodate larger parties or planned gatherings.

Jason Stine