The company holiday party is more important than almost any other event on the calendar — leadership attends alongside the rest of the team, and it's what people remember about the year going into the next one.
As the person planning it, you don't need every detail locked by the end of September. This post covers how to settle the room and the date, what headcount range to give the room now, and what genuinely waits until Metro's Holiday menu opens for the season. By the end of it, you'll be well prepared for the December event.
December only has a few usable weeks for an evening event — after Thanksgiving, before the last week of the year empties out for the holidays themselves. A room holds one event a night, and fewer nights are open in December than in any other month.
Our advice is to book the room first, and let the date follow from whatever night is free. Bar service is the most consequential decision: an open bar requires more space and staff than beer and wine only. Deciding that question upfront will help you figure out what type of room to book. If part of the group doesn't drink, add mocktails or a non-alcoholic option to that same conversation, since it doesn't need a separate one.
It's best to discuss holiday events like this with Metro's catering team rather than placing a standard online order. Reach out to Metro once you have a room in mind, and we can give you advice on bar service, staffing, and setup for the night.
You don't need a final headcount to book the space — a range works fine in September. Ask department leads for an estimate, and collect dietary needs at the same time. It's the same email, and it saves a second round once the specific menu opens in December.
Room size follows from that range. A space built for 80 people won't work well for a company of 150, even on a night that's otherwise open. Refine the estimate once invitations go out and RSVPs start coming back.
There are three open items after you book the room:
The exact headcount finalizes closer to the date, once RSVPs are in. The specific dishes aren't available to choose until Metro's Holiday menu goes live for the season — that's true no matter how far ahead you plan. A theme, if you want one, is a decision about signage and small details, not something that changes what Metro needs from you in September. Same with decor: it can wait, because none of it changes which room you booked or when.
Get the room and the date locked this month. The exact headcount, the specific dishes, and the finishing touches all have time to come together once the Holiday menu opens.
Author
Chris Zamfotis
Managing Partner, Metro Catering
Chris Zamfotis is the Managing Partner at Metro Catering, a New York City catering company serving corporate offices, private events, and businesses across Manhattan. With a focus on reliable service, thoughtful menu planning, and polished presentation, Chris helps lead Metro Catering’s approach to modern corporate catering, from daily office lunches to executive meetings, happy hours, and large-scale events.
Metro Catering has been NYC’s trusted corporate catering provider since 1981, offering fresh, high-quality meals for office lunches, corporate events, and workplace dining—delivered on time, every time.
