November 28, 2023
Lauren Platero

New Year's Eve Catering: 38 Festive Ideas for Your NYE Party

End the year on a high note by opting for New Year’s Eve catering services. Anyone who handles the majority of food preparation for parties will tell you that the work overload is quite stressful. From mixing holiday drinks to serving party trays of current food trends, it can be a lot on a party host’s plate (no pun intended). 

Consider purchasing food and beverages from a local restaurant business with a New Year’s Eve catering menu. This way, you can keep your party just as festive without the burden of doing all the work. 

In this blog, we’re going to cover the whole idea of New Year’s Eve catering services. You'll quickly notice how it's different from catering Christmas and a traditional Christmas dinner catering menu. From reasons to order them ahead of time to festive menu items, you’ll finish reading and know exactly how to host a successful New Year’s Eve party.

New Year’s Eve Catering Supported By Online Ordering

We recommend ordering all catering services through digital realms. Even for orders as formal as Christmas and Christmas Eve catering services. For one, you can leisurely browse through the various menu types. Then, you can be specific about quantities and special requests. The restaurant staff will have this on record, eliminating the risk of errors and inaccurate orders. 

For restaurants, it's very easy to manage orders when they all roll into a single platform. As a result, inventory management and kitchen operations remain efficient. Secure payment processing is another bonus, too. That's why it's just as important to let customers order Christmas dinner online, too. It offers perks for both sides.

Are you a restaurant owner trying to determine how to get more catering orders before the holiday season? We’ve got quite a few tech solutions that should help your online ordering processes. Schedule a demo with Revolution Ordering to learn all about them!

The Benefits of New Year’s Eve Catering Services

Once you place an order for New Year’s Eve catering services, you’ll quickly take notice of all its advantages. Several of the best perks of outsourcing food and drinks for holiday parties include:

  • Zero guesswork about what to serve. 
  • No shopping or preparation is required.
  • Everything will be prepped by professionals.
  • Cooking and mixology experience is not necessary. 
  • Hosts can spend more time with their guests.
  • Minimal cleanup once the party’s over. 

Now that you have a solid grasp on the many benefits of New Year’s Eve catering services, it’s time to decide what to serve! Continue reading the next two sections for culinary inspiration!

New Year’s Eve Catering: Food to Order

There are many different styles you can choose from when serving food on New Year’s Eve. Some party hosts like to go the formal route, while others prefer something much more casual. Regardless of what the food is, the way in which you serve it is really what makes the difference. 

For instance, snacks that are scattered amongst tables and countertops make for a casual party that feels like happy hour. A buffet dinner is leaning a bit more in the formal direction, but isn’t quite there yet. Then, you have sit down dinners, the most intimate dining experience of all. 

Regardless of how you serve the food, there are many menu items that you can’t go wrong with. From the appetizer list all the way to the dessert menu, these are some great options:

Appetizers

  • Pigs In a Blanket 
  • Shrimp Cocktail
  • Charcuterie Boards
  • Assortment of Tapas
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Bruschetta 

The Main Course

  • Roast Chicken with Veggies
  • Ham Served with Pineapple
  • Lasagna with Italian Bread
  • Variety of Mini Sandwiches
  • Eggplant Parmesan with Pasta

Desserts

  • Assortment of Cookies 
  • Cupcakes with Festive Toppers
  • Sliced Fruits with Chocolate Fondue 

Ready to read about the most exciting part of New Year’s Eve? Check out the following section for drink ideas!

New Year’s Eve Catering: Drinks to Pour

Keep the drinks flowing well into the new year with a selection of beverages. From various types of alcohol to celebratory mocktails, this is the time to order alcoholic drinks or mixers in bulk. Oh, and you can’t forget the champagne, of course! If the restaurant where you’re getting New Year’s Eve catering services from doesn’t sell alcohol off-premise, no problem. Just take a spin to your local liquor store for everything you need. 

Need some ideas for drinks beyond champagne and standard beer brands? Try serving the following concoctions at some point before the ball drops:

Twists On Champagne

Popular Cocktails

Cozy Drinks

  • Mulled Wine
  • Hot Toddy
  • Spanish Coffee
  • Irish Coffee

Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Beverages 

  • Cranberry Spritzer 
  • Sparkling Apple Cider
  • Cappuccino 
  • Espresso

Of course, you can have a variety of mixers and liquor on hand to create custom drinks. But it looks like you have enough culinary and mixology ideas to throw a New Year’s Eve party! 

New Year’s Eve Takeout: Is It Available?

Whether you can order takeout from your favorite restaurants can be hit or miss on New Year’s Eve. It all depends on each individual business owner and the location. For instance, small family-owned businesses are more likely to have holiday hours or not be open at all. 

Meanwhile, hospitality franchise brands and fast food chains are more likely to remain open. Whether they have limited holiday hours is up to the franchisee. With all this in mind, you shouldn’t assume that takeout on New Year’s Eve will be a definite option. Even if food delivery apps offer a variety of operating businesses, delivery times might be lengthy. 

The unpredictability of ordering takeout on a holiday is one of the main reasons why New Year’s Eve catering services are vital. They allow you to plan far in advance while removing all the manual labor. What more could you ask for?

Frequently Asked Questions About New Year’s Eve Catering

Before you begin chanting the countdown to the new year, serve a delectable array of food and drinks. Whether you select dishes and drinks that revolve around a theme or stick to the classics, New Year’s Eve catering can provide you with everything. So, are you ready to begin hosting your end-of-year bash? We think the following FAQ section will offer you some additional pointers. Read on:

Should I Purchase New Year’s Eve Catering Services?

Yes, hosting a dinner or cocktail party on New Year’s Eve can be a hassle, making catering services a valuable solution. Just think about how much more time you’ll have ringing in the new year with friends and family. From buying ingredients to preparing party trays, hosting New Year’s Eve can require a great deal of time. So, let a restaurant do the bulk of the work for you and enjoy the holiday alongside your guests!

What Kind of Food Do You Serve On New Year’s Eve?

The food you serve on New Year's Eve can be super casual or elaborate and ornate. Appetizers and finger foods are ideal for when you're mingling. In this case, foods like a charcuterie board and veggies with dip are great choices. 

However, some people like to end the year with an elegant meal. For these dinner parties, elaborate entree food, or perhaps a full course meal will be on the menu. It just all depends on the household and the vibe they're going for.

What Do You Serve At a New Year’s Eve Buffet?

Most of the food that hosts serve at a New Year's Eve buffet include finger foods and easy-to-serve dishes. Technically, anything that doesn't require ornate plating designs can be on the menu. Some of the most popular options include the following:

  • Pigs In a Blanket
  • Mozzarella Sticks 
  • Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Shrimp Cocktail
  • Spinach and Artichoke Dip
  • A Baked Pasta Dish

How Can You Host An Amazing New Year’s Eve Party?

Hosts can throw an amazing New Year's Eve party by following these steps:

  • Host a dinner party with a variety of delicious food.
  • Have mixers and liquor on hand for festive cocktails. 
  • Decorate the space with sparkly decor, such as streamers. 
  • Have a variety of party games nearby to entertain guests. 
  • Turn up the music or keep the TV on featuring a major NYE party.
  • Get the champagne toasts ready for when the clock strikes midnight.

How Do You Throw a New Year’s Eve Party On a Budget?

You can throw a New Year's Eve party on a budget with these tips:

  • Host the party at your home instead of renting venue space. 
  • Purchase food ingredients in bulk from a place like Costco.
  • Use your own dishware to serve food to save money on paper goods. 
  • Check stores such as Dollar General for inexpensive decorations. 
  • Create a music playlist instead of hiring a DJ or a live band. 
  • Utilize your own utensils and glassware to avoid wasting money and plastic.

The Countdown Is On!

Early December is when you should begin planning festivities for New Year’s Eve. Check with all your favorite restaurants to find out which ones offer New Year’s Eve catering services. Just ensure that you have a rough estimate of how many people will be joining you for the holiday. Catering for New Year’s Eve is a popular option, so high order volumes are abundant as well. Therefore, it’s always safe to place such orders sooner than later.