Unique Party Catering Ideas You Haven’t Thought Of (But Should!)
As we approach the holiday season and we start to think of our Thanksgiving and Christmas plans I can’t help but to make plans around food! That is one of the reasons I got interested in charcuterie because food brings us together. There are so many meals that have taken place at my dining room table that I can still remember the conversations and laughs. The holiday season is a great time to think about unique party catering ideas.
There is a reason why both kids and adults enjoy an experience when it comes to eating. Maybe it is trying a food a different type of way than you ever had or seeing a different presentation of food you are familiar with. For instance, I was eating at a local Italian restaurant in Edmond (Sparrow Italian) and my husband and I of course had to order the Italian burrata as an appetizer. I’ve never had burrata with roasted tomatoes paired with basil. It was an interesting take on burrata and I’m glad I tried it! They also had their famous 100 layer lasagna that we just had to try! Why is that? Because we had never eaten a 100 layer lasagna before and wanted to experience it! We can confirm, it lived up to the hype!
4 Unique Party Catering Ideas
Of course one unique party catering idea I have to mention first is a build your own charcuterie bar. Create a spread on parchment paper with an assortment of cheeses, meats, crackers, veggies, and fruits so your guests can make their own board or cup. How fun it is for your guests to assemble their own charcuterie creation! Don’t forget to also add something sweet, it’s a must during the holidays in my book.
You have probably seen the funny Instagram or Tik Tok videos of people bringing themed boards to a festive party which leads me to another unique party catering idea, hosting your own themed boards party. This is where your guests bring a board with their own theme of foods on it! Think of a potluck dinner featuring assorted foods on boards. There is a wide range of themed board ideas such as tacos with chips and assorted dips, wings with sauces and celery/carrots, and even a chick fila board with chicken, fries, and CFA sauce! This gives your guests the opportunity to be creative with their boards and tastes!
As cooler weather arrives, I can’t help to think about all the hot drinks that come with it. Peppermint lattes, hot chocolates, and of course the fan favorite: PSL aka pumpkin spice latte. Can you even celebrate Fall without having a PSL? 😊 A unique party catering idea to compliment these hot drinks is a festive dessert and toppings board. A hot chocolate bar filled with all your fun toppings such as whipped cream, mint chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, and marshmallows, yum! My favorite way to drink hot chocolate is with salt and caramel so I’m adding those to my board this holiday. For desserts to compliment that especially if you enjoy drinking hot tea or black coffee is biscotti, gingerbread and/or sugar cookies. You’ll be the house everyone wants to visit this holiday season.
With the Fall, one of my favorite things to do outside is to make a good old S’more. These can be basic to fancy. To round out our unique party catering ideas is a s’mores or campfire snack station. Now I am not the camping type, but I love to snack and eat s’mores so this could *maybe* talk me into camping (my husband would be thrilled)! There is a new-ish trend that I recently saw and it was a savory smore with salami, brie bites, and crackers. You warm the brie on the fire then add the salami and crackers. An interesting and savory take on a campfire, but I would try it! I am an expert in s’mores department though with your usual toppings such as Hershey’s chocolate bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Wanting a peanut butter crunch with your s’mores board? Add some Reese's peanut butter cups to the mix. Can’t go wrong with some fun campfire snacks like Chex mix, pub style pretzels, trail mix, and for protein, I think of beef sticks! There are no rules when it comes to pairing things you enjoy into a board for people to enjoy.
With that all said, the holiday memories you will take into 2026 are those spent with your loved ones. These could be from the simple activities like watching a favorite TV show together or driving around OKC looking at Christmas lights. I pray and hope this last few months of the year are filled with joy and thanksgiving!
