Office Parties

In Philadelphia, Brûlée Catering brings British cheese and beer pairing stations to offices. One pairing offers oatmeal stout with Huntsman cheese.

Under its subdivision Jewell To Go, Chicago's Jewell Events Catering supplies an Asian-inspired alternative to more traditional box lunches. The company's sleek bento boxes hold items such as salmon over a seasonal grain salad, grilled asparagus spears, sesame noodle salad, and fresh fruit tartlets.

A timely option with Mardi Gras coming soon, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar, and Eatery in Arlington, Virginia, offers platters of "Muff-o-Lotta" sandwiches. Prepared by chef David Guas, the sandwiches are stuffed with salami, mortadella, smoked ham, provolone cheese, and olive salad. They're topped with toothpicks bearing New Orleans's signature fleur-de-lis.

For lunch meetings at the office, Pure Kitchen Catering in Chicago drops off jarred salads. Flavors include the Southwest salad, made with spiced nuts and pepitas.

Austin, Texas-based Royal Fig Catering has a Limited Service Menu tailored to office events. Options on the menu include a cheese and antipasto display with house-pickled vegetables, fruit spreads, rustic breads, and crackers.

Catering With a Twist in Austin, Texas, serves boxed "Cuban Sammies." Served with a side of arugula-corn-tomato salad, the sandwiches are filled with roasted pork tenderloin, honey ham, mustard, pickles, and onions and served on a sweet roll.

At Washington's Design Cuisine, a new division called Prepped by Design focuses on seasonal foods that make for quick buffet-style service. Menu items include a five-mushroom tart, made with roasted mushrooms, a Gruyere custard, and house-made pie crust.

Arthur's Catering in Orlando can set up salsa stations at meetings. The stations are stocked with chips, guacamole, hot sauce, and several types of salsa; there are also bamboo trays for guests to stash their snacks.

Aruthur's also provides Thai chicken meatballs for in-office gatherings. Accompanied by a cup of toothpicks, the meatballs can be passed or set up on a buffet for guests to serve themselves.

Downsize a favorite holiday dish into a bite-size hors d’oeuvre. Brett Galley, director of special events at Connecticut-based event planning company Hollywood Pop Gallery, suggests pork tenderloin with bacon and caramelized onion marmalade on a crostini.

A cookie-decorating station turns adults into kids, says New York event designer David Stark. He recommends providing guests with blank ginger or sugar cookies in various shapes, along with a bar of edible decorating items.

Backal recommends functional, mismatched seating, like love seats, couches, and tufted benches, to create an inviting and cozy feel. The Kidwell Sofa, $395, in a black-and-white damask print from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental in California offers a comfy spot to chat.

For an elegant, modern take on a traditional holiday theme, Galley suggests rustic table decor with earthy tones and nature-inspired accents, accented with a variety of red roses and greenery.

Tierney decorated a bar with classic nutcrackers for the party last December.

The cherry-wood Drake bar, $475, from Taylor Creative adds a touch of old-fashioned flair to holiday events.

Serve cheery cocktails in bright red colors with sparkly sugar rims and plump berries like the ones from Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.

At the Hallmark dinner, traditional Victorian carolers at the front door greeted guests.

Send guests home with an edible gift, like Harry & David’s Tower of Treats, $39.95, which is filled with Royal Riviera pears and a selection of mixed nuts, shortbread cookies, and citrus candies.

San Francisco-based Blueprint Studios planned a corporate holiday party in Menlo Park, California, last December that took inspiration from popular stories, such as Snow White and The Polar Express.

Ornaments added glitz to the decor at a Hollywood Pop Gallery-produced event.

In January, Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago held an opening-night party with a fire and ice theme that used playful chalkboard signage.

New York-based event designer David Stark says vintage- and billboard-style signage, like a glowing marquee, is still a popular trend that will carry over into the holidays.

At the Color Invasion event, presented by the International Interior Design Association’s New York chapter, held at Center548 last November, guests tried their hand at old-fashioned carnival games at the big-top-theme party.

At a holiday party produced by New York's Great Performances last December, costumed waitstaff served truffle mac ‘n’ cheese in mugs.

The City View Loft grand opening also featured mask-embellished cupcakes.

Add a touch of funky, festive sparkle to a party with the Marie Antoinette chandelier, $500, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental.

The Poof Chair, from FormDecor in California, includes battery-operated LED lights to brighten up a holiday party scene in a rainbow of colors. Pricing is available upon request.

At the City View Loft party, guests got to pick and choose hangover cures to take home as practical favors.