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Holiday party catering in Arlington, VA
Office party or family gathering in Arlington this season? These 8 caterers say they cater holiday events. Decide on service style (drop-off, buffet, stations or passed appetizers) first; it shapes the quote more than the menu does. TopCaterers lists 8 holiday party catering providers serving Arlington, VA. 1 offer drop-off, 1 offer buffet and 2 offer plated dinners. Compare them below, or send one request and get quotes back from up to 5 of them.
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| Holiday party catering listed | 8 |
|---|---|
| Service styles available | Drop-off (1), Buffet (1), Plated (2), Full service (1) |
| County | Arlington |
| City population | 238,643 |
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Catering by event in Arlington
Planning guide: Holiday party catering: planning guide & checklist · All caterers in Arlington · Get free quotes
Holiday party catering in Arlington: common questions
How do I know these caterers do holiday party catering in Arlington?
Each caterer on this page mentions this kind of event on its own website or in its business details. That is a sign they take the work, not a guarantee of availability, so confirm your date, guest count and service area with them directly.
How early should I book holiday party catering?
As a general rule of thumb, several weeks ahead, and earlier for Friday or Saturday evenings in December, which are the first dates to fill.
What food works best for a holiday party?
For mingling, heavy appetizers or stations; for a sit-down meal, a buffet. Add a dessert table and make sure there is a real vegetarian option.
Which caterers in Arlington deliver without staff?
1 of the 8 caterers listed in Arlington offer drop-off catering, where food arrives hot in disposable chafers with serving utensils and the caterer leaves. It is the cheapest way to feed a group and needs no gratuity or staffing charge. Filter the results on this page by “Drop-off” to see only those companies.
How far in advance should I book a caterer in Arlington?
For an office lunch or small drop-off order in Arlington, VA, 1 to 2 weeks is usually enough. For a large corporate event allow 2 to 3 months, and for a wedding allow 9 to 12 months, since the best caterers in any metro book their Saturday dates first. December and the May-June graduation window are the hardest times of year to book late. Many caterers will take rush orders inside 72 hours for a fee, and repast catering is routinely arranged in under 48 hours.
How much does catering cost per person?
Nationally, drop-off trays and boxed meals commonly run about $15 to $30 per person, a buffet with setup about $25 to $55 per person, and a full-service event with staff and plated or stationed food about $50 to $150 per person or more. The three things that move the number most are service style, protein choice and guest count. Drop-off is cheaper than full service because there is no staffing, rentals or gratuity. Below roughly 40 guests, most caterers charge a flat minimum instead of a per-head rate.
What is the difference between drop-off and full-service catering?
Drop-off means the food is delivered hot in disposable chafing dishes with serving utensils, and the caterer leaves. You handle setup, refills and cleanup. Full-service means the caterer arrives early, sets up, cooks or finishes on site, staffs the event with servers, provides china and linens, and cleans up afterwards. Full service usually adds 20-30% on top of the food cost for labor, plus rentals.