Christmas party food and drink ideas for 2024

The halls are being decked, the twinkly lights are being draped all around, and party season is rearing its glittering head once more. While Christmas is, to many, the jewel in the crown of the festive season, the weeks before and after the day itself are often packed with get togethers of all descriptions. Family members returning home, reunited friends, and gathering with loves just because – arguably, party season offers more sales opportunities than the annual feast.
The variety of the occasions in peoples’ diaries is what makes it such a valuable season for fine food retailers. A casual gathering may simply require delectable crisps and dips, and a really good bottle of fizz, while grander scale occasions may bring the need for cooked canapes, charcuterie and cheeseboards.

The luxury of time

At this busy time, retailers can ensure success by taking the hard work away from their customers, so they can enjoy the time with loved ones rather than feeling chained to the kitchen. “People want to offer their guests delicious food but without having to spend hours in the kitchen. So, taste, presentation and convenience are all equally important. Variety is also a big consideration as hosts want to ensure that everyone gets to eat something they love!” says Matt Whelan, director of Fieldfare.

Whatever the occasion, a selection – big or small – of freshly cooked party food is sure to be gratefully received, and if starting from frozen there’s no need to worry about waste. “Many of our savoury and sweet foods are perfect for the party spread, and our delicious savoury bites range is particularly popular at this time. Hosts can just pop the nibbles in the oven straight from the freezer, and they are ready to serve within minutes.”
Fieldfare’s selection is as varied as it is convenient. “The range includes mouth-watering Mac ‘n’ Cheese bites with classic macaroni in a cheddar, Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese sauce, moreish crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside Mozzarella Bites and delicious, always popular Sweetcorn and Chilli Fritters.  And for something sweet, Fieldfare’s single serving Vanilla Panna Cottas or moreish Sicilian Lemon Tarts are perfect. Simply defrost and serve!”

The fact that Fieldfare’s products can be stored in the freezer not only means that it’s ready to be cooked or defrosted at whatever time or quantity is required, but that wastage is easily avoided. “The naturally longer shelf life of frozen foods, when compared to chilled or fresh, allows consumers to stock up on a range of items and keep them in the freezer until needed. This can be immensely helpful with pre-planning and preparation for a party, or if they suddenly find themselves catering for the inevitable unexpected guest,” says Matt. “With a well-stocked freezer, hosts can just pop some of Fieldfare’s delicious quick-cook foods in the oven and everyone is catered for. Furthermore, Fieldfare’s unique scoop-your-own concept allows shoppers to choose how much they need of each party food, rather than being limited to prepacked quantities. In turn, this also helps shoppers to avoid food waste as they only take as much as they need.”

The UK’s favourite snack

Whatever the size and style of the gathering, no party is complete without crisps – and Fairfields Farm has a myriad of delicious options that are suitable for every guest. “We are a nation of absolute crisp lovers,” explains Natasha Jones, commercial manager at Fairfields. “Consistently in research, we find that the most frequently snacked on item in the UK is crisps, and everyone wants to trade up at Christmas.” A single-serve pack of Walkers won’t cut it for fine food customers during party season – shoppers want to share, and to offer their guests something extra special.
Fairfields’ range of premium crisps is the answer. Attractively packaged, available in a range of delicious flavours – including Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salt & Aspall Cyder Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, Sweet Chilli, Roast Rib of Beef, Bacon & Tomato, Sea Salt & Black Pepper and the outstanding new Prawn Cocktail – and with sustainable credentials to boot, they’re a real crowd pleaser.

Plus, the brand’s festive offering is sure to go down well with guests of all ages. “This is our year selling our Maple Glazed Ham crisps because they’ve been so popular in previous years.” Indeed, the richly spiced, addictively sweet-salty snack saw a sales boost of 400% between 2022 and 2023, no doubt aided by its attractive – and party-ready – gold packaging.
Thankfully, all products in the Fairfields range are ideal for every guest at the party to enjoy. Gluten-free and suitable for vegans – including the ever-popular Cheese & Onion flavour – every crisp made by the business is suitable for all.

Party-ready platters

With time a valuable commodity during party season – for hosts especially – having everything needed for a delicious platter all in one place is a real luxury. Thankfully, Serious Pig is on hand with a varied range of party-ready products to satisfy all tastes.  
Of course, no platter is complete without cheese, and Serious Pig’s Snacking cheese more than fits the bill. Addictively savoury, with a light, crunchy texture and rich cheese flavour, it’s surprisingly versatile – serve solo with drinks, include on a cheeseboard for a crunchy new taste experience for cheese aficionados, or add to the ultimate Serious Pig platter. 

For this, think big. From the traditionally-seasoned and pre-cut Snackingham charcuterie to Spicy Snackalami to add a hit of heat, there’s plenty in the Serious Pig repertoire to delight meat lovers. For savoury crunch, think Snacking Pickles and Pickled Chillies, and serve alongside Corn Scratchings and Cornish Sea Salted Almonds for the perfect snacking platter to serve with drinks. In a hurry? Partner Snacking Cheese with Snackalami and a Snacking Pickle for a super speedy and seriously tasty party nibble. 
Serious Pig has collaborated with craft brewers Vocation and Thornbridge for the curation of wildly popular hampers, and the range has a natural affinity with beer. Try Corn Scratchings with Thornbridge’s Lukas 4.2% Helles Lager for a refreshing and perfectly seasoned pairing that will work for all occasions, or Snackingham with Vocation’s Love & Hate 7.2% New England IPA, a well-rounded and satisfying pairing. 

The extra details

For your customers who are opting for the all-out approach this party season, it’s well worth giving your ambient aisles a revamp – or including some choice oil and vinegar options alongside your charcuterie and snacks to promote upselling and inspire shoppers to create an impressive party platter.
Charcuterie, cheese, cornichons, grissini… All delicious, but made extra special with the addition of high quality oils, vinegars and seasonings. Enter Random Harvest, the Australian producer of premium ambient products that are taking the UK by storm. As well as superlative Australian truffle products including oil, mustard and salt - all of which would add a sense of occasion to a party spread, Random Harvest produce a range of gifting products which are ideal for entertaining during the festive season.

“The Mini Me Entertaining pack is ideal for entertaining platters or great as a party gift. You’ve got the Fireball Chilli Mustard which contains Western Australian mustard seeds which pop in your mouth for a unique taste experience, Kalamata & Roasted Garlic Tapenade, and Lemon, Garlic & Dill Dressing, which is perfect for seafood or as a side dipping sauce,” begins Nicholas Jinks, general manager at Random Harvest. In addition to the three versatile – and delicious – condiments, within this set is an attractive bamboo spreader. Random Harvest also sell condiment sets which come with cheeseboards, as well as the best-selling Australian Truffle Oil & Salt Packs – which come complete with a serving dish – so whether your customers are hosting or a guest, they’ll have all they need to make their platters extra special.