A big part of any holiday celebration is indulging our favorite food traditions. Whether you’re gathering around the table at home with family, or in the office with friends and colleagues, there is nothing like sharing a special holiday meal to jump-start the joy of the season. 

But creating that joy is no easy task. Anyone who has prepared a holiday feast—whether for a small intimate group, or a big crowd—can attest to the fact that it’s a lot of work. 

One way to make your holiday easier is to take advantage of the huge variety of holiday feast packages that restaurants offer at this time of year. If you’re used to ordering catering for office meetings and other events, you may already know about all the different dinner packages that are available to make feeding your work team a breeze. But don’t stop with the office. These packages also work beautifully for events outside of work. 

To help get you inspired as you plan your holiday festivities, we’ve selected a few of our favorite holiday catering packages. Any of these would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or really any holiday party or feast on your social calendar. 

A few quick tips to keep in mind:

• When to Order: If you can, give your chosen caterer 2 days advance notice for holiday dinner packages. But don’t panic if timing is tight, many of our caterers can accommodate short-notice orders.
• How Much to Order: Not sure how much food you need to feed your guests? Check out our quick guide on how much to order per person. 
• What to Expect for Prep: Will your meal be ready to eat, or will it require reheating or any other prep? Each caterer offers different options, so it’s a good idea to read meal descriptions carefully, and feel free to ask questions when placing your order.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is ready to help you celebrate any time of year. Whether you’re looking to serve up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or host a cosy Christmas morning brunch, their extensive menu has you covered. Their Breakfast Bundles include items like Momma’s Pancake Breakfast (a consistent favorite) and Grab N’Go Meat Biscuits. Their hot entree dinner choices include Grilled Chicken Tenderloin Meal, which you can customize with multiple sides (there are twenty-two to choose from!) and dipping sauces. And don’t forget the bread: Buttermilk Biscuits, Cornbread Muffins, or Sourdough Bread. These are truly meals to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Find  Cracker Barrel holiday catering near you

Bob Evans Restaurant

Seventy years ago, Bob Evans opened up a 12-stool designer where he served hot, homestyle meals at an honest-to-goodness value. Today, that tradition continues with farm-fresh meals from Down on the Farm(R). When it comes to holiday fare, Bob Evans has plenty to choose from, starting with their Everyday Thanksgiving package, which comes complete with slow-roasted turkey with bread & celery dressing, mashed potatoes & chicken gravy, green beans with ham, macaroni & cheese, buttered corn, and a dozen dinner rolls, plus your choice of tea. And if you want to change things up a little, try their other packages: Pot Roast, Grilled Chicken Dinner, and Hickory-Smoked Ham Dinner. 

Find Bob Evans Restaurant holiday catering near you

Famous Dave’s BBQ

“Famous” Dave Anderson, a Native American with a passion for BBQ, has won some of the most coveted BBQ awards in the nation. Fifty years into his culinary journey, he’s still traveling the country in search of inspiration. Famous Dave’s BBQ offers a variety of seasonal catering packages including their Merry 2 Meat Combo, which includes your choice of two meats plus sides and chocolate chip cookies, and which are available with tray or individual packaging. Choose from eleven different options including Texas Beef Brisket, Smoked Turkey, and Southside Rib Tips. (Please note that turkey and ham options require 24-hours notice.) You may also want to consider their Holly Jolly Sandwiches or the Season’s Best Combo, which is a hearty meal including three St. Louis style spare ribs, your choice of meat & sides, and a cookie. 

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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

When Travis Dickey, a WWI veteran, opened the first Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in 1941, he didn’t know that—80 years later—people would still be enjoying his authentic, slow-smoked barbecue. Give your holiday celebrations a little extra zing with the Barbecue Buffet. This spread includes your choice of 2 meats and 3 sides, rolls, condiments, and utensils. Select from seven delectable meats, including Polish Sausage, Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket, and Texas-style Chopped Beef. Top if off with a Baked Potato Casserole or Barbecue Beans or the old standby—Mac & Cheese (to name just a few of the side options). Your guests will appreciate the taste of southern hospitality in every bite. 

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Metro Diner

What are the holidays about if not comfort, and that’s just what Metro Diner is all about—all your favorite comfort foods made fresh and hot and served with the kind of Southern charm you’d expect from a down home diner. Metro Diner offers several tasty dinner options that would make any holiday meal both a snap and a success. Each is available individually packaged if that suits your event. Try their Slow-Roasted Pot, Jumbo Chicken Pot Pie, or Meatloaf (we all know diner meatloaf is the best). They also offer a Roasted Turkey dinner that includes mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed green beans. 

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Corporate Caterers 

Launched twenty years ago with a mission to deliver delicious, reliable office catering, Corporate Caterers now has more than thirty franchise locations across the country. They are a great choice for their variety of individually packaged meal options, including items like their Caribbean Grilled Chicken Box, Homestyle Meatloaf Box, and Vegetable Pasta Primavera Italiano, just to name a few. They’ve also got you covered on the dessert end of things with options like their Cookies, Brownies & Sweet Breads Platter or their Fancy Sweet Platter, which includes assorted miniature fruit tarts, eclairs, Napoleons, cream puffs, cannoli, dessert breads, caked, and tea cookies. Definitely festive. 

Find Corporate Caterers holiday catering near you

The possibilities are endless

Remember, while traditional holiday feasts are definitely a favorite, that doesn’t mean you’re locked into going with any of the tried-and-true options. Maybe this is the year to think outside the box and be a little rebellious. Literally any kind of cuisine can be party food if you say it is. If roast turkey and baked ham don’t do it for you, feel free to branch out. How about a taco bar or a sushi party? Give yourself the freedom to put a new twist on old traditions. 

To get started, check out these and many more great office catering options near you.

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