As we enter the thick of the corporate holiday party season, here are some ideas and resources for food, entertainment, gifts, and more.
1. Somerville-based Grossman Marketing Group, which works with clients to create branded products for special occasions, has one particularly popular choice for parties this time of year—candy cane tumblers that can be customized with event info or corporate logos. Pricing is $6.99 per each 12-ounce cup or $7.99 per each 20-ounce cup.
2. To add some sophisticated sips to your party, the bartending team from Eastern Standard can set up and staff a craft cocktail bar, serving in-house standards like the Jack Rose (applejack, pomegranate, and fresh lemon) or creating a custom list using seasonal ingredients. Pricing starts at $75 per bartender, plus a $300 to $1,000 fee.
3. Holiday-ready desserts can be delivered around the greater Boston area from Treat Cupcake Bar's new bright pink truck. Options include seasonal favorites like the North Pole (chocolate mint cupcake with candy cane and Oreo buttercream frosting). Pricing is $3.25 per cupcake, $15 for a dozen of mix-and-match mini cupcakes, and $25 for one giant cupcake.
4. Au Soleil, the catering company run by venerable Boston chefs Frank McClelland of L'Espalier and Geoff Gardner of Sel de La Terre, offers an all-in-one "green holiday reception" package. Options include a local cheese selection from suppliers like Vermont Butter & Cheese Co., passed hors d'oeuvres such as Island Creek oysters with pickled jalapeños, and desserts like house-made eggnog with mini gingerbread-man cookies. Pricing starts at $30 per person.
5. Sutton Entertainment can turn a conference room into a winter festival with an indoor skating rink. The rink comes in 4- by 4-foot and 4- by 8-foot sections so that it can be assembled anywhere. Pricing starts at $2,500. Additional holiday entertainment options from the company include mechanical reindeer and living nutcrackers.
6. Boston-based design, decor, and planning company Art of the Event has an array of seasonal furniture and decor pieces on hand, both traditional and contemporary. Clients can rent pieces such as Santa's sleigh on an individual basis, or hire the company to design and set up decor for the entire event.
7. Looking to send guests home with a stocking stuffer? The year-old Hotel Chocolat store on Newbury Street has a variety of holiday gifts, from fruit-and-nut wreaths to dark chocolate chili penguins. Pricing varies.
