Office parties are a great way to reward a team and provide a space for everyone to unwind. They can socialize in a setting outside of work and build bonds to make them a better team. However, if the party isn’t great, it won’t be as effective as you want it to be.
One of the tricky parts about an office party is getting the food right. When you have a large group of people, you will have a diverse set of preferences for eating. Instead of blowing out the party budget on a wide selection of entrees, you can choose to have appetizers to feed your staff. This will allow you to provide a great variety of food choices so that everyone can enjoy the party. Here are some appetizer ideas that you have on the table to host the best work party possible.
Cheese Sticks
Cheese sticks are a common favorite that can also suit vegetarians. You can serve them with bamboo toothpicks to make it easy to pick them up individually. You can also have jalapeno poppers or crostini available to add a different flavor. Again, these are pub foods that will appeal to a broad section of your staff. A food ratio to have available is two sticks for each person attending your party.
Fruit Salad
You always want to provide healthy options for your staff. A fruit salad or fruit bowl is a great way to do that. Plus, it can offer a sweet “dessert” for those who don’t want to fill up on sugary cakes and cookies. Your fruit salad can be based on a theme, if you wish. For instance, you can stick to refreshing melons and berries during the summer. However, apples, grapes, and heartier fruits are great options in the fall or winter.
Chicken Wings
One of the best things about chicken wings is how wide the different varieties are. That means that you can serve wings for almost any taste or preference. You can offer different dipping sauces as well to provide some variety. Make sure that you have wet naps available for people to keep their fingers clean. Wings are also great since they can be prepared without bones and gluten. A good rule of thumb is to have three wings for every individual attending.
Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards have been getting more and more popular in recent years. A charcuterie board involves a collection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and other assorted snacks. Usually, they are served for small dinner parties to provide a wide range of appetizers. However, it’s not practical for a work party to have many different small charcuterie boards. So instead, you can create a large charcuterie board out of a table. Cover the table with butcher paper and place your selected items on top. Your staff will be delighted by the creativity, and it will be easy to clean up afterward.
Tortilla Chips and Mango Tomato Salsa
This is a great snack to provide some sour and spicy flavors to your options. Grab some mangoes, bell peppers, onions, lemons, and jalapenos and mix them into a salsa. It provides a refreshing complement to tortilla chips, especially for a staff summer barbecue. This option is also gluten-free. If you want, you can substitute tortilla chips with crackers or bread. The salsa is also a great addition to tacos or burritos.
Ice Cream Free Banana Split
It’s hard to have ice cream at a staff party. You need to keep it from melting during the event, and if you don’t have the appropriate equipment on hand, you could end up with a mess. However, you can get the next best thing with a banana split but hold the ice cream. This banana split is a piece of strawberry and a piece of pineapple sandwiching a slice of banana on a skewer. It’s not ice cream, but it gives a fresh and cool treat to complement savory snacks.
Cocktail Meatballs
Meatballs are an appetizer table classic. They are easy to eat in bite sizes, and they can be favored in many different ways. You can go with spicy flavors, zesty, or even sweet. Make sure that you have enough skewers to go around. You should plan for four meatballs for everyone who attends.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Vegetable spring rolls can provide an Asian flavor to the party. They are vegetarian, and they are easy to eat. If you want to add something to them, provide a sesame peanut sauce for dipping.
When your team has been working hard and getting things done, it’s nice to offer a reprieve from the everyday hustle and bustle. An office party is a great way to reward your staff and enjoy each other’s company. Make sure that you have a wide range of food available for everyone’s tastes and sensitivities.