Christmas Buffet Ideas: Menu, Setup and How to Keep It Hot

Quick answer: A Christmas buffet works best with one or two mains, three or four hot sides, a grazing board for starters, and a separate dessert and drinks station. Keep mains in chafing dishes or an electric roaster, hold sides on a food warming mat or warming tray, and lay the table out in serving order: plates, mains, sides, bread, then napkins and cutlery at the end.

Sample Christmas buffet menu

  • Starters: a grazing board with cheese, charcuterie, crackers and fruit
  • Mains: glazed ham or roast beef, plus one vegetarian main
  • Hot sides: roasted potatoes, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables
  • Cold sides: a big salad in a serving bowl
  • Dessert: cookies, pie, and a chocolate fondue station
  • Drinks: mulled cider or punch in a self-serve dispenser

Buffet layout that keeps the line moving

  1. Plates first, at the start of the table.
  2. Mains next, in chafing dishes or straight from an electric roaster.
  3. Hot sides on a food warming mat or warming tray.
  4. Bread and cold sides.
  5. Napkins and cutlery last, so guests aren't juggling them while serving.

Put drinks and desserts on separate tables to avoid a bottleneck. For more than 30 guests, set up both sides of the table as two identical lines.

Keep it hot

  • Turn warmers on 10–15 minutes before food goes out.
  • Put food out hot; warmers hold heat, they don't reheat.
  • Refill in batches from the kitchen instead of putting everything out at once.
  • Aim for 140°F or above, and don't leave food out for more than 2 hours without a warmer.

Order in time for Christmas

For delivery before December 24, order items from our US warehouse by December 11 and items from our overseas partner by December 4. Shipping is free on every US order.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Christmas buffet menu?

One or two mains (ham, roast beef or turkey), three or four hot sides, a salad, a grazing board, desserts and a self-serve drink.

How do you keep a Christmas buffet warm?

Use chafing dishes or a roaster for mains and a food warming mat or warming tray for sides, and refill from the kitchen in batches.