While you may be soaking up the sun and making summer memories now, it’s also a great time to begin planning your holiday parties. The holiday season is magical, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. By planning your Christmas/holiday soiree or chic New Years’ Eve party now, you can relax and enjoy your seasonal celebrations. No celebration is complete without delicious food, festive drinks, cozy décor, and seasonal desserts! Whether hosting an event in your home, venue, or restaurant, choose Messina’s Catering and Events as your full-service caterer to create a special holiday menu.
Workplace Holiday Parties
Celebrate your company and your employees with an outstanding corporate holiday party. If your workplace has fewer employees, Batture Bistro + Bar is ideally laid out best for intimate gatherings of 40 people or less. This venue offers unique catering space opportunities not found in other French Quarter venues. Your employees will feel appreciated as they are wined and dined with craft cocktails, local micro-brews, and Messina’s five-star cuisine. Consider choosing The Atrium at Messina’s at the Terminal for your holiday party venue for larger groups. Impeccably restored to its original grandeur, the Art-Deco two-story Lakefront Airport open atrium is encased in marble and granite. The terrazzo floor features an inlaid center compass as well as airport designs. All with a stunning view of the runway and Lake Pontchartrain.
In-Home Catering
When most of us think of a catered event, we envision a large ballroom. However, catering can be done for small groups for a more intimate feel. Your home’s warm and inviting atmosphere can create the perfect setting for a cozy/chic holiday party. Messina’s can help you plan the outstanding holiday catering menu and event details to ensure you are able to spend time with your guests vs spending it in the kitchen. In-home catering is the perfect solution to carefree event planning. From an intimate sit-down dinner in your dining room to a cocktail party with passed hors d’oeuvres, a full-service caterer can do it all inside your home.
Add a Unique Twist to the Décor
Décor choices create ambiance and can make or break your event. While traditional holiday décor is always nostalgic, it’s expected. Think beyond traditional and be creative by choosing other trendy options that will set your holiday party apart.
Consider going green. Use various shades of green, mixed with natural browns, to create a beautifully pleasant color pallet for your event. Use natural or faux greenery beyond the typical wreaths and garland. Instead, consider rosemary, palmetto, or magnolia leaves for a touch of southern chic and elegance. Don’t forget the mistletoe!
Make your party shine! Silver and gold have always been holiday décor staples, but choosing metallics and glitter in other shades can also provide a festive touch. Go glam by adding posh mirrors with modern gold accents or create an atmosphere of timeless elegance with silver, pearl accents, and luxury linens. Décor in hues of blue or gold and black encompass a classic New Year’s Eve theme that will never go out of style.
Keep your holiday event cozy with a modern “home for Christmas” theme. Think warm colors, velvet accents, and faux fur seating areas for your guests. Make the atmosphere glow by adding string lights and lots of candles. (Viagra) If your venue or home has an outdoor space that will be utilized, keep your guests warm and cozy with fire pits or heaters—incorporate chunky knit or faux fur blankets in baskets nearby. Of course, a gourmet hot cocoa or specialty coffee bar is a must for this theme!
Delectable Menus
While everyone looks forward to traditional staples of the holiday menu, think beyond the expected by putting a creative twist on standard menu items to give guests a unique and memorable experience. Have fun with color, infuse fresh red and greens into the menu for a fresh AND festive spin.
Hors d’oeuvres
Nothing says holidays like the fresh red and green of a tomato basil caprese skewer. Soups are the ultimate winter go-to and are a perfect choice to serve as hors d’oeuvres. Roasted tomato soup shooters with grilled cheese squares are a chic trendy choice. Greet your guests with warm cheese starters. At the top of the list are cheese fondue or baked brie served with peppered jelly and baguettes. Messina’s Beeks Salad features field greens, feta cheese, candied walnuts, and a raspberry vinaigrette topped with dried cranberries to add a touch of holiday color.
The Main Course
Bring seasonal ingredients together with a winter classic like butternut ravioli with sage butter sauce. Put a twist on a timeless classic like mac n cheese by delighting guests with unique alternatives such as truffle mac n cheese cups or a mac n cheese bar. Main entrees, including prime rib, pot roasts, and chicken marsala, are perfect for a winter event.
Speak to your caterer about including carving stations. Not only are they impressive, but guests love the personal chef service. Messina’s roasted or Southern fried turkey with cranberry pear chutney carving station is a real treat.
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Options
Utilizing fresh veggies is a great way to satisfy your gluten-free and vegetarian guests as well as to add a splash of holiday color to your menu. For hors d’oeuvres, use a cauliflower base for pizza bites. Thai spring rolls are a delicious option filled with delicious vegetables and wrapped in rice paper. Including cauliflower mashed “potatoes,” grilled romaine lettuce salads, and savory roasted brussels sprouts on your menu will satisfy any guest.
Festive Beverages and Cocktails
Be sure your beverage menu brings the same level of warmth and celebration as the rest of your menu. For a nostalgic feel, include a hot chocolate bar with all the toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon, peppermint, and chocolate shavings. Give guests the option to add some spirits and turn them into an adult confection. Apple cider, eggnog, and hot chocolate provide alcohol and non-alcoholic options, while mulled wine, brandy, buttered rum, and wassail have a bit of bite.
Sweet Endings
Would a holiday menu be complete without pie? Classics like pumpkin and apple are always a hit, or you can switch things up with peppermint and chocolate. Warm up with a molten lava cake or cheesecake with caramel pecan sauce. Serve other classics like yule logs, fruit cakes, reindeer bark, warm bread pudding, and poached pears. Custom touches like a decorate-your-own cookie bar gives your guests a sweet treat and a lasting impression to take home.
We Can Customize Your Menu to Any Season of the Year
Messina’s Catering and Events will work with you to celebrate the season by creating a memorable menu for your holiday-catered event. Messina’s has been catering everything from in-home holiday parties to the expansive guest lists of social galas and corporate events in New Orleans for six decades. Learn more by visiting MessinasCatering.com.
