21 Real Questions About Office Christmas Catering, Answered

TL;DR:

Whether you’re planning a one-day holiday lunch or a full 12-day campaign, here are 21 real questions teams ask — with festive, practical answers. Bonus: Discover how Cloud Canteen can extend the joy year-round.

Key Definitions & Concepts

Before diving into the most asked questions, let’s align on a few terms often used when planning Christmas catering:

• Office Christmas Catering – Providing food for employees in December, typically centered around the festive season. Can range from a one-off lunch to a multi-day series of events.
  
• Cloud Canteen – Feedr’s flexible office meals solution that enables teams to pre-select meals, manage dietary needs, and streamline food budgets year-round.
  
• Hybrid or Remote Catering – Food initiatives that include both in-office and at-home employees, using snack boxes or vouchers.
  
• 12 Days of Catering – A structured campaign where teams are treated to 12 themed food experiences over the course of December.
  

Why Focus on 12 Days?

A 12-day catering campaign delivers the perfect balance between festive engagement and operational manageability. It’s long enough to feel memorable but short enough to plan without stress.

Why it works:

• Sustains engagement without overwhelming calendars
• Fits neatly into a pre-holiday timeline (early to mid-December)
• Easy to scale up or down (e.g., 5 treats over 12 days)
• Creates anticipation with a fun narrative arc
  

It’s flexible, festive, and achievable, which is why many companies opt for this format.

1. What can I serve my team for a festive lunch in the office?

Think beyond turkey. Easy wins include:

• Christmas market-style dishes (bratwurst, pretzels, mulled cider)
• Comfort food like gourmet grilled cheese or holiday soup
• Global holiday menus (Diwali snacks, Hanukkah bites, Italian panettone)

Label dishes clearly for dietary needs.

2. What are some fun food ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas at work?

Plan a countdown:

• Day 1: Festive breakfast bar
• Day 4: Hot cocoa and cookies
• Day 9: Secret Santa snack boxes
• Day 12: Charcuterie and truffles

Mix high- and low-effort days to stay on budget.

Check our suggestions on how to run a whole 12 Days of Christmas at work format

3. How far in advance should I book Christmas catering?

Start 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Peak dates (Thursdays & Fridays mid-December) fill up quickly.
For multi-day campaigns or larger teams, book early.

4. How do I surprise employees with food in December?

Try these ideas:

• Unannounced hot cocoa or cupcakes
• Festive snack packs left on desks
• Theme days with costumes and meals

Surprise + food = joy.

5. How can we make our Christmas catering more sustainable?

Opt for vendors who use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and minimal packaging. Offer plant-based options to reduce environmental impact, and clearly label recycling and compost bins at your event. You can also repurpose leftovers with donation partners or let staff take them home to avoid waste.

6. What are budget-friendly catering ideas for small teams?

Smart options include:

• Breakfast spreads (low-cost, high-impact)
• DIY stations (tacos, wraps)
• Rotating deluxe vs. simple days

7. What are good catering options for mixed diets during Christmas?

Pick inclusive menus that feature:

• Vegan roasted veggies
• Halal-friendly protein options
• Gluten-free desserts and breads

Use labels and allergen cards.

8. How do I make office food feel festive without going overboard?

Small, easy additions work:

• Holiday-themed flavoring (cranberry, gingerbread)
• Decor, playlists, and creative menu naming
• Branded “Elf Fuel” or “Santa Snacks” tags

9. Can we run 12 Days of Catering for a hybrid or remote team?

Yes, with some adaptations:

• Send snack packs to remote staff
• Time in-office days around known attendance
• Use polls or channels to involve remote voices
  

10. Is 12 days of treats too much for a small office?

Not if you scale wisely. Try:

• 3–5 “event” days across the 12
• Group several small ideas together
• Keep some surprises simple (e.g. doughnuts or popcorn)
  

11. How do we encourage feedback on December catering?

Quick and easy options:

• Slack emoji reactions
• Anonymous Google Forms
• Feedback “tree” in the office (write & hang paper notes)

Review responses to make next year even better.

12. How can we track dietary needs easily for a team of 20 or more?

Use your catering platform or create a one-time Google Form. 

13. How can we keep team meals going after December ends?

Gift a full year of team appreciation via Cloud Canteen, our flexible, year-round office meal program.

Benefits include:

• Dietary tagging
• Budget control by team or person
• Zero admin effort

The holiday buzz doesn’t have to end on December 24.

14. What are good catering ideas for an office Christmas party?

A festive party spread could include:

• Grazing boards or charcuterie
• Hot buffet trays (roast veg, glazed meat, holiday pies)
• Warm mulled drinks or a spiced punch
• Festive desserts like truffles or mince pies
  

15. How do you cater food for a Christmas work event?

Steps to follow:

• Choose your format (drop-off, buffet, served)
• Confirm dietary needs in advance
• Pick a reliable vendor with Christmas menu experience
• Add signage or decoration for holiday flair
  

16. What are the best Christmas catering menus for the office?

Balance crowd-pleasers and dietary variety:

• Mains: Turkey, vegan roast, or lasagna
• Sides: Roasted carrots, crispy potatoes, cranberry sauce
• Desserts: Panettone, mince pies, cookies
• Add drinks like mulled juice, cider, or non-alcoholic punch
  

17. What do you serve at a company holiday party?

Create a full experience with:

• Finger food to start
• Buffet or plated main course
• Sweet treats and drinks
• Optional DIY bar (e.g. hot chocolate or wraps)

Don’t forget dietary signage and serving utensils.

18. Festive office lunch ideas for December?

Rotate across weeks:

• “Cozy Comfort Day”: mac & cheese, soup, pies
• “Christmas Market Day”: pretzels, bratwurst
• “Around the World”:  Diwali, Hanukkah, European traditions
• “Sweet Friday”: desserts, hot drinks
  

19. What food to order for staff Christmas lunch?

Pick meals that are easy to portion and reheat:

• Holiday pasta bakes
• Warming soups and sides
• Dessert platters
• Plant-based alternatives for inclusivity
  

20. Christmas catering London 2025, what should I look for?

Look for:

• Seasonal menu options
• Delivery availability on peak dates
• Experience with business catering
• Dietary flexibility
• Good reviews or references
  

21. Affordable corporate holiday catering near me?

Search for:

• Local caterers with festive drop-off options
• Scaled-back menus with just mains and dessert
• Platforms like Feedr that offer group pricing
• Breakfast or snack-only days to save

Bonus: What is Cloud Canteen?

Cloud Canteen is Feedr’s flexible office meals platform that gives your team the ability to choose meals that work for them, with full dietary support and zero admin hassle for you.

Perfect for:

• Post-holiday perks
• Year-round team engagement
• Supporting wellness & inclusion
  

Summary Table

Ready to bring your office to life this December?

Start with Christmas Catering 2025 menus.

Then explore Cloud Canteen for a lasting perk your team will remember and actually use