What better way to celebrate the people you care about most than by planning a holiday event? It’s when friends, family, and colleagues come together to connect and celebrate one another.
Although holiday parties can bring you closer to your inner circle, they don’t happen overnight.
Before offering all the bells and whistles, make sure you’re planning ahead, ensuring that your invites are sent out before everyone goes OOO. You’ll also want to have a menu that’s full of fresh, flavorful, and festive options.
Unsure where to start? Goode Co. Catering & Events has you covered from prep to passing out the plates. We offer full-service menus, stress-free set-ups, and efficient clean-ups. We’ve been a family-owned and operated business for 47 years, so we’re pros at throwing a big Texas party with Texas-sized food.
Below, learn about Goode Co. Catering & Events’ best tips on how to plan a memorable holiday event.
The Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Holiday Event
Plan Ahead
Before sharing your fall catering ideas or choosing the best venue for your corporate holiday party, the first step is determining the date and time of your event. Next, make sure you’re giving guests advanced notice. Between traveling and taking time off, this is the season when people are out of the office the most. That means, sending invites at least two months ahead of the event. Another hot tip? Hosting your party in early December is a lot more doable than scheduling it for the week of Christmas or the final week of the month.
Calculating Your Head Count
Make your list and check it twice! The guest list determines how much holiday food and drinks you’ll need, as well as the venue size. Since the holiday season is a busy time of year, secure the RSVPs in advance so you can book your Houston catering services without a hitch.
Set Your Budget
This isn’t the most enjoyable part of planning a holiday event, but it’s essential. You don’t have to be a Scrooge, either, but knowing your budget will save you a headache from all of the challenges that arise from overspending.
Type of Event
Whether you’re throwing a large company holiday event or a small gathering in Texas, the structure, theme, and setting are important factors to consider.
Small holiday parties: For small functions, like a family festivity, think about creating a more intimate experience. Choose activities that spark conversation and decide if catering delivery is an easier, more convenient option.
Large holiday parties: If you’re hosting a Texas-sized holiday event, it’s best to opt for special event catering. With Goode Co. Catering & Events, we offer a full-service catering menu, while also providing a range of services and packages that are customized to your needs.
Full-Service Catering
Want to know the secret to a stress-free event? Hire a full-service caterer like Goode Co. Catering & Events. For one, we know how to craft the perfect menu for your private event in Houston. Whether you have winter catering ideas or want traditional Texas favorites like BBQ catering or Tex-Mex catering, we take pride in ensuring the food is primed to perfection.
Another reason to choose catering services? We’re party experts. Seriously, we’ve been serving Texas the best slow-cooked meats, authentic Tex-Mex foods, and Creole-infused seafood for nearly 50 years. Plus, we offer a wide selection of Houston classics with our full-service menu and delivery menu. We’re so goode at catering and events, we’re in charge of all the small (but significant) details that are often forgotten. Need a photographer or florist? We know a guy. Looking for cocktails that’ll lift your spirits? We’ll take care of it.
Perfecting the Menu
Planning the menu for an event is already a tough task, but deciding holiday food ideas is another level. First, think about how the setting will translate to the food. Do you want the meal to complement the holiday theme or have traditional Texas fall catering favorites (like slow-cooked meats, mashed potatoes, etc.)? It also doesn’t hurt to browse through Christmas dinner party ideas or to get a head start on catering trends for 2025. Next, make sure the menu meets your guests’ dietary restrictions. Lastly, have fun. Whether you’re planning catering for a corporate event, or a small gathering, mix in flavors, garnishes, and textures, as well as cold and hot dishes.
Bar Service
It won’t be long before your guests start cheering on your unforgettable party. That’s why the drinks shouldn’t be an afterthought. Pairing the cocktails to your cuisine provides a more thoughtful experience, while also showing that no detail went unnoticed. Go ahead and lift your guests’ spirits with Goode Co. Restaurant’s Yonderlust, which combines classic Texan drinks with a fun twist to event catering in Houston.
Choosing the Right Venue
Once you know how many people are attending your Texas holiday party, you can find the right venue. If this feels like an overwhelming task, Goode Co. Catering & Events offers a multitude of private and semi-private venues throughout Houston: Goode Company Kitchen & Cantina, Goode Company Barbeque, Goode Company Seafood, and Goode Company Armadillo.
Each Goode Co. venue provides its own menu, so you can enjoy everything Texas has to offer, including our famous BBQ, Tex-Mex, and savory seafood selections. If you’re looking for more location options, we partner with other Houston venues to bring you a melting pot of choices that the city is known for.
Post-Party Clean-Up
Much like setting the budget, it isn’t exactly fun to think about tidying. But you don’t want to stress over the mess. Luckily, Goode Co. Catering & Events offers efficient clean-ups, so it’s stress-free from set-up to see-you-next-time.
TLDR; Planning Checklist for Your Holiday Party:
- Schedule the event in advance: Between travel and time off, give your guests time to put this in their calendar
- Choose your theme: ‘Tis the season with a theme that fits the holiday and vibe of the party
- Menu: Offer a variety of dishes that are fresh, flavorful, and fit to your guests’ dietary needs
- Bar service: Curate specialty cocktails that add extra flair and fun to the menu
- Head count: Get your guest count ahead of time and account for additional RSVPs closer to the event date
- Budget: Set aside funds for extra plates, tableware, services, etc. so you don’t exceed the budget.
- Venue: Find a place that fits the style of your event and provides enough room for your guests.
- Set-up: Self-serve or wait staff? Figure out the best set-up for your event and guests.
- Efficient clean-up: Have a clear plan for cleaning up after the event.
- Thank You Cards: Treat your guest to a special surprise by sending out personalized thank you cards.
Book Goode Co. Catering & Events
Now that you have Goode Co. Catering & Event’s secret recipe for planning a memorable holiday party, we can make it happen. Give us the non-negotiables for your Houston event, including the desired date, time, head count, and style. We’ll take it from there.
If you are planning a holiday corporate event make sure to book catering early!