A Holiday Breakfast Instead of the Evening Office Party

The evening holiday party is a tradition, and for some teams it's still the right one. But if last year's party was half-empty, or you keep hearing "I'd love to, but I can't get a sitter," a holiday breakfast is worth a look. Here's what it fixes, what you give up, and how to plan one.

Why the evening party is a bigger ask than it looks

• It's after hours. You're asking people to give up an evening in the busiest month of the year.
• Parents and caregivers need childcare, or they skip it.
• Long commutes turn a two-hour party into a late night.
• Alcohol at the center is awkward for people who don't drink and a liability question for the company.
• December calendars are full of school events, family plans and other parties.

What a holiday breakfast fixes

• No after-hours ask. It happens on the clock, so showing up costs nobody their evening.
• Easier for people with kids. School drop-off is done and nobody needs a sitter.
• More inclusive. No bar to organize around, and it works for everyone whether or not they celebrate a particular holiday. Call it an end-of-year breakfast if that fits your team better.
• Everyone can come. Part-time, hybrid and early-shift staff can make a morning event far more easily than a night out.
• Simpler logistics. It usually happens in your own office, so there's no venue to book, no transport home to arrange and no late finish.

What you give up

A breakfast doesn't feel like a night out. There are no partners or plus-ones, no dancing, no bar. If your team genuinely looks forward to the evening party, don't take it away. Some companies do both: a breakfast for the whole team during work hours, and an optional, casual evening for anyone who wants one.

How to plan a holiday breakfast

1. Pick the date early. Early to mid December works best, before people start their time off. Caterers' December mornings fill up, so book in October or November.
2. Choose the in-office day. For hybrid teams, hold it on the day most people are already in.
3. Start shortly after arrival. Food first, then any program: a short thank-you, year-end awards, a gift handout.
4. Make it warm and a little festive. Hot food, hot chocolate next to the coffee, seasonal toppings, some decorations.
5. Ask about dietary needs. Collect gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan counts with the RSVP.
6. Check space and power. Most breakfast setups run indoors; confirm what your caterer needs.

Menu ideas, from simple to showpiece

• Pastry and bagel trays with a coffee service. The simplest and cheapest option.
• A hot breakfast buffet: eggs, potatoes, breakfast meats, fruit.
• A pancake, crepe or waffle station cooked to order, which doubles as the entertainment.
• A hot chocolate and coffee bar, or a full espresso bar with a barista.

Here's what one live waffle station costs, so you can compare it with your per-head budget for an evening event:

One example, if you're in the Denver area

Tom's Waffles sets up a live Belgian waffle station for office holiday breakfasts. Gluten-free waffles are cooked on dedicated gluten-free equipment. The crew arrives at least 80 minutes before service to set up and start cooking, so the first waffles are ready when doors open, and packs everything up within 30 minutes after. For December dates, see holiday party catering in Denver.

Frequently asked questions