Four Fabulous and Festive Holiday Catering Trends to Try

After reading my posts all year long, you've probably realized by now that creativity is an extremely important theme throughout my blog. I love sharing ideas and new trends that will hopefully inspire my readers to impress not only their guests but themselves as well! That being said, this month is really the perfect time to devour the details and bring something new to the table. And with that, I bring you four fabulous and festive holiday catering trends that will definitely spark your imagination this season!

1. Appetizer-Themed Menus
“12 Days of Christmas” inspired menus are all the rage this holiday season. Using a “12 Days of Appetizers” menu cuts out the main course and focuses on 12 appetizer-style courses that are served one after another, often using inspiration from the “12 Days of Christmas” when developing recipes. For instance, the “partridge in a pear tree” appetizer might involve pears, while “five golden rings” might include a circle of puff pastry, baked until golden, and topped with a seasonal ingredient. You can get really creative with this and your guests will surely love playing along--matching each appetizer to its respective lyric.

2. Diverse Ingredients and Cuisines
Street-food dishes and culturally diverse ingredients are inspiring new twists on classic dishes this holiday party season. For instance, using Italian bread and making a panzanella (Italian bread salad) instead of traditional stuffing, or incorporating Korean kimchi into a recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts. Second time this week we've mentioned kimchi (meaning, you should really try it). Adventurous crowds are really embracing this trend. Open your guests eyes to foods they may not normally have the opportunity of tasting and we bet their taste-buds will thank you!

3. Offering a Signature Drink or Cocktail Bars
Signature drinks are remaining a popular mainstay at fall and holiday events. A themed cocktail is always a big hit, and some planners are incorporating things like a hot chocolate bar to their events, which allows guests to add different flavors to their drink (raspberry, caramel, or peppermint, for instance). Other than hot chocolate, we recommend embracing the ever-so-tasty Moscow Mule trend. Ginger beer is wildly popular right now and there are a number of iterations of the cocktail, making it a delicious option for all guests.

4. Natural Tablescapes
Bring the beauty of the outdoors in this holiday season by incorporating a number of natural pieces to your table design. We love the use of pinecones and tree bark blocks as an added dimension. Dim the lights and use candles for a natural-light feel. Your guests will appreciate the beauty and will be happy to be warm inside!

Take these ideas and add your personal touches to really devour the details of your holiday parties! Don't forget to let us know how you got creative with your food and beverage options in the comments section. We'd love to hear from you!