Holidays

Cater Your Own Christmas Dinner Party

Posted by The Dream Dinners Team on

Dream Dinners makes it easy for you to host and cater fantastic parties, for any occasion. Use this guide for step-by-step instructions on how to self-cater your next party with Dream Dinners.

Checklist for Planning your Party:

  • Determine how many people you will be serving
  • Choose the date and place of your event
  • Choose your menu.
  • For ideas and menu choices, visit dreamdinners.com.

Party Planning Time line:

  • 4 – 6 weeks prior to your party – Visit dreamdinners.com and make a reservation to assemble your party menu selections at a Dream Dinners location near you.
  • 2 weeks prior – Purchase paper goods and beverages (see quantity tips below)
  • Less than 1 week prior – Purchase groceries for salads, butter for breads and fresh cut flowers.

Paper Product calculations are assessed on a per person basis.
Example: 25 guests, 50 dinner plates.

  • 2 dinner plates per person
  • 1 dessert plate per person
  • 3 forks per person
  • 1 knife per person
  • 3 beverage napkins per person
  • 2 dinner napkins per person
  • 3 beverage cups per person
  • 1 hot cup per person

Beverage calculations need to be assessed by evaluating who is attending your event, but as a standard rule, this can help.

For 25 guests:

  • 4 liters white wine
  • 6 liters red wine
  • 1 full case beer (24)
  • 4 liters of champagne
  • 2 2 liter bottles of soda

Company Christmas Party – 75 guests

 

  • Asian Beef Kabobs (save the rice that comes with it for another dinner) – 12 orders
  • Coconut Shrimp with Sweet & Sour Sauce & Jasmine Rice  – 12 orders
  • Chicken Mirabella – 12 orders
  • Prime Rib with Cream Horseradish Sauce – 6 orders
    ( 3 full Roasts – call your local Dream Dinners to order whole roasts)
  • Chef Touched Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes – 12 orders
  • Holiday Rice Salad – double recipe
  • Tossed Green Salad – double recipe
  • Garlic Bread – 7 loaves

Your approximate cost $24.75 per person, compared to $74.00 per person with a professional caterer.

Follow this Sample Time line for an Easy Party

  • 4 days before: Thaw all Dream Dinners  in your refrigerator
  • 1 day before: Make Holiday Rice Salad
  • 2½ hrs before: Bake Garlic Mashed Potatoes – hold*
  • 2 hrs before: Cook Jasmine Rice – hold*
  • 1½ hrs before: Bake Prime Rib, thinly slice
  • 1 hr before: Bake Chicken Mirabella
  • 1 hr before: Bake Garlic Bread, slice – hold*
  • 30 min before: Bake Coconut Shrimp (can be served as an appetizer)
  • 20 min before: Toss Green Salad with dressing
  • 10 min before: Broil or Grill Asian Beef Kabobs (one piece of meat on each skewer with 1 piece of onion, can be served as an appetizer)
    • * To hold, use a large cooler to keep cooked dinners hot for up to 2 hours and at a minimum temp. 140 degrees.  Keep cold foods at a maximum temp. of 40 degrees.

With a little help from Dream Dinners and a few family members or close friends you can host a fantastic holiday party!