The two numbers that matter most for a home Christmas party are drinks per person per hour and appetizer pieces per person. Get those roughly right and the rest, decor and music included, is the easy part.
How Much Food and Drink to Plan For
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appetizers, before a meal | 2 to 3 pieces per person per hour |
| Appetizers, as the meal itself | 5 to 6 pieces per person per hour |
| Alcoholic drinks | 2 drinks per person in the first hour, then 1 per hour after |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | 1 to 2 eight-ounce servings per person per hour |
| A standard 750 mL bottle | About five 5-ounce glasses |
Sources: Lunds & Byerlys, "How to Plan Food & Drinks for Any Party Size." and Tasting Table, "The Clever Way to Determine How Many Drinks You'll Need for a Party."
A Punch or Dispenser Beats a Full Bar for a House Party
A glass beverage dispenser (see our beverage dispenser guide) filled with punch or mulled cider keeps drinks to one self-serve station instead of a cluttered bar setup. For snacks, a lazy susan (see our lazy susan guide) on a smaller side table keeps appetizers within easy reach without crowding the main table.
A Simple Prep Timeline
- One week before: buy nonperishables and decide on your drink and snack list.
- Two days before: clean, set out serving pieces, and chill drinks that need it.
- Day of, morning: prep anything make-ahead, and set up the drink dispenser area.
- One hour before guests arrive: light candles, do a final tidy, and put out snacks last so they're still fresh.
Decor That Doesn't Get in the Way of a Crowd
A fabric pennant or garland (see our pennant flags guide) works well over a doorway or mantel without taking up floor or table space a crowd will need. Keep lit candles off any path people will be walking with drinks in hand, and favor stable pillar candles over tall tapers near a walkway, since a moving crowd is more likely to bump something than a seated dinner is.
What to look for
- Plan 2 to 3 appetizer pieces per person per hour if a meal follows, more if snacks are the meal.
- Budget 2 drinks per person for the first hour, 1 per hour after that.
- One drink station (dispenser or punch bowl) beats a full bar for a house party.
- Put food out last, not hours early, so it's still fresh when guests arrive.
- Keep lit candles off high-traffic paths where a crowd will be moving with drinks.
FAQ
- How many drinks should I plan per guest for a house party?
- A common guideline is 2 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 per hour after that. Adjust down for a shorter party.
- How much food do I need if I'm not serving a full dinner?
- Treat appetizers as the meal and plan for 5 to 6 pieces per person per hour, roughly double what you'd serve before a sit-down dinner.
- What's an easy way to serve drinks without a full bar setup?
- A glass beverage dispenser with one punch or mulled drink option, alongside a non-alcoholic alternative, covers most guests without needing a full bar.
