As 2025 winds down, offices from Raleigh to Chapel Hill are closing the books on another year. It’s the perfect time to celebrate team wins and bring a festive spirit into the office. Everyone loves vibrant decorations and delicious food, but getting all the details right is tricky when handling other deadlines. That’s where Catering By Design comes in.
Since 2000, we’ve helped Triangle-area businesses host stress-free, memorable events with food. If you want to bring people together, we have all the best tips for planning and catering a holiday party near you.
Before choosing a menu or theme, figure out a head count and budget. These two details will determine your venue options, service, decorations and catering options.
Start by estimating attendance and confirming whether your company will cover guests or plus-ones. Once you have a working number, you can create a per-person budget, including food and drinks. Then, determine how much you can spend on decor, entertainment, rentals and gratuity. More complexity equals higher costs.
Having a budget prevents surprises later. Look for caterers with flexible, straightforward prices to make budgeting easier. At Catering By Design, we always provide transparent, itemized pricing and we even adjust menu selections and service styles to match your request.
Waiting until the last minute to reserve a spot for your group will almost certainly leave you scrambling for options during the holiday season. Even if you’re only planning a casual lunch, be proactive. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be to secure your desired caterers, venues and entertainment.
First, decide what mood you want to set. Will you host a plated dinner with award presentations? Does the team prefer shorter, cocktail-hour events? Would you like to invite spouses and kids? Matching the event to your company’s culture will make it more authentic and fun.
After setting your budget, it’s time to start finding a caterer for your company party, because few things shape an event like the food. We’ve all been to gatherings where the menu missed the mark or the portions ran out early, leaving guests disappointed and distracted. It’s the kind of detail people remember long after the decorations come down. Exceptional catering does more than fill plates — it creates atmosphere, sparks conversation and elevates the entire experience.
Check for these three qualities when you’re looking for a caterer.
With over 20 years of experience and a team that’s been together for more than a decade, Catering By Design offers the consistency businesses need for successful events. Our local relationships and reputation for personalized services and fast responses make us the Triangle’s trusted choice for company celebrations.
Catering for an office Christmas party means festive foods and drinks. Dream beyond basic buffets and incorporate a mix of seasonal favorites and creative options that reflect your company. Poll staff about their favorite foods, or customize dishes with names referencing specific accomplishments or milestones.
The end of the year in the Raleigh-Durham area brings colder weather and images of cozy evenings indoors. Pick crowd-pleasers like roast beef and herb-roasted chicken with a vegetarian pasta option. Pair these main dishes with fresh sides and seasonally appropriate desserts. Many companies include a themed cocktail/appetizer hour to get people mingling.
Workplaces are more diverse than ever, and your party should have dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Experienced caterers will personalize menus to dietary needs and customize recipes for allergy safety.
Food keeps the party energized, while thoughtful logistics make it seamless. Once you’ve confirmed the menu, it’s time to map out the event details, from table layout to timing. Start with a simple timeline — schedule arrivals, icebreakers, speeches or awards, dinner and dessert. These segments transition guests smoothly from one phase to the next, avoiding awkward lulls.
Layout matters just as much. Consider guest seating, food station placement and service flow. For buffets, double-sided serving lines and open paths between tables prevent bottlenecks. Make sure your venue has easy access for the catering team, plus space for rental or power equipment.
Don’t overlook the essentials like plumbing and waste disposal. If your location lacks any of these, rent what you need to keep the event running smoothly.
In the final two weeks before your event, send a confirmation summary to all your vendors to ensure everyone understands the arrival times, setup details and special requests. Now is also the time to finalize your guest count and double-check dietary notes with the caterer.
A written timeline makes confirmation and final plans easier. Lay out the evening’s schedule and assign an internal point of contact for each area so you can focus on hosting instead of running the entire night alone. At Catering By Design, we provide event pre-communication, coordinate with your venue and manage every stage of food service. You get to focus on enjoying the party, and we help you figure out how to plan a corporate holiday party on schedule.
Experience and consistency make all the difference when planning Christmas party catering or supporting another professional event. Catering By Design has helped businesses in and around Raleigh host stress-free celebrations for years. We offer fresh, made-to-order food and attentive service crafted to your event. Our dedicated staff delivers the best possible service. Many team members have been with us for over 10 years, ensuring you get the consistent quality you deserve.
As a locally owned company, Catering By Design has won the WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards and the Pinnacle Business Award for excellence in service. Whatever your business event, we can bring your vision to life.
The holidays should be about connection, not coordinating complicated details. When you partner with Catering By Design, we carefully handle every detail, including setup and cleanup, so you can throw an unforgettable event. Choose us for transparent pricing, quick response times and a team that genuinely listens. Let our flexible menus and custom packages work with your needs and budget.
If you’re in the Raleigh-Durham area, we can provide corporate or holiday and Christmas party catering near you. Request a free consultation and start scheduling your event before holiday dates fill up!
