Updated November 2026
15–18 Minute Read
Holiday Party Catering in Aurora, IL: How to Plan Food for Your Guests
Planning a holiday party is supposed to be fun, but deciding what to feed everyone can quickly become one of the hardest parts.
How much food do you need? Should you order individual meals or set up a buffet? How many main dishes should you have? What if some guests want sandwiches while others want wings, gyros, chicken, or something lighter? And how far ahead should you place the catering order?
The food does not have to be complicated.
A good holiday party menu starts with the number of people you are feeding, the type of event you are hosting, and the way you want the food to be served. Once those three things are clear, choosing the food and estimating quantities becomes much easier.
A holiday party also gives you more flexibility than a normal lunch.
You can build a casual holiday buffet around sandwiches and wings, create a larger spread with several different entrées, or keep things simple with a few popular foods that are easy to serve.
The best menu is usually not the one with the most food. It is the one that fits the event.
What Kind of Holiday Party Are You Planning?
The right catering menu depends heavily on what kind of gathering you are hosting.
A company holiday party is different from a family Christmas gathering. A neighborhood event is different from a small dinner with friends. A school or community celebration may have completely different needs again.
Before choosing the food, think about the event itself.
Office Holiday Party
Office parties often involve a mixture of coworkers who have different food preferences. A variety-focused menu can work especially well because employees can choose the foods they want instead of everyone being served exactly the same meal.
You may also need to plan around a specific start time, speeches, gift exchanges, games, or other activities.
Family Holiday Gathering
Family parties can be more relaxed. People may be eating throughout the afternoon or evening instead of sitting down at exactly the same time.
For this type of event, larger trays and shareable foods can make sense because guests can serve themselves as they are ready.
Holiday Open House
An open house creates a different challenge because people may arrive and leave at different times.
Instead of planning one traditional meal, you may want foods that are easy to serve in smaller portions throughout the event.
Holiday Celebration or Community Event
Larger events usually require more planning around food quantities, serving space, timing, and variety.
This is where a planned Aurora catering order can be much easier than trying to coordinate dozens of individual meals.
That answer can determine whether individual meals, a buffet, shared trays, or a combination makes the most sense.
How Many People Are You Feeding?
The guest count is the foundation of your catering order.
You do not need to know the exact number of plates before choosing the menu, but you should have a reasonable estimate of how many people will actually be eating.
| Guest Count | Good Starting Approach | Planning Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10 guests | Individual meals or a few shared foods | Easy to accommodate individual preferences. |
| 10–25 guests | Several main options with sides | A mixed menu gives guests variety without becoming difficult to manage. |
| 25–50 guests | Trays, pans, and larger quantities | Serving space and portion planning become more important. |
| 50+ guests | Planned catering order | Discuss guest count, menu, quantities, and timing directly with the restaurant. |
These are planning ranges rather than strict catering formulas.
A party of 20 people could require very different amounts of food depending on whether the food is the complete meal, whether there are appetizers and desserts, and whether guests will be eating all at once.
For more general group-order ideas, Mayo Grill also has a guide on the best food for group orders in Aurora.
The more accurately you can estimate your guest count, the less guesswork you have to do later.
Is the Food the Main Meal or Part of the Party?
This is one of the most important questions to answer before calculating quantities.
If the catered food is the main meal, guests will generally expect enough food to fill them up.
If the food is only one part of the event and you are also serving desserts, appetizers, drinks, or other dishes, the amount of each individual food can be different.
For example, a holiday lunch may revolve around Italian beef, wings, Philly trays, and sides.
A holiday open house might instead have smaller portions of several foods because guests are eating while talking, visiting, and moving around.
Full Meal
When catering a full meal, prioritize substantial main dishes and enough sides to make the meal feel complete.
Heavy Appetizer Spread
If guests are not sitting down for a traditional meal, several shareable foods can work better than large individual entrées.
Meal Plus Dessert
If the event includes a full meal followed by desserts, make sure the main food is still substantial enough for the guest count rather than assuming dessert will replace part of the meal.
Buffet or Individual Meals: Which Is Better?
Both approaches can work for a holiday party. The right one depends on your guest list and the type of event.
Buffet-Style Catering
Buffet-style food is often a natural fit for holiday parties because guests can choose what they want.
It also gives you an opportunity to provide several different main dishes without requiring everyone to place an individual order.
A buffet can work particularly well for office holiday parties, family gatherings, open houses, community celebrations, and larger group events.
Individual Meals
Individual meals can be easier when your group is small or when everyone has already selected exactly what they want.
This approach also works when the event has a more structured schedule and guests need their own meal rather than serving themselves.
A Combination
There is nothing wrong with mixing the two.
For example, you might have shared wings and fries available for everyone while also ordering individual meals for guests who prefer a specific entrée.
The goal is convenience, not following one specific catering format.
What Foods Work Well for a Holiday Party?
Holiday parties are usually better with variety.
You do not need to offer every food on the menu. Instead, choose a few foods that cover different preferences and work well together.
Italian Beef
A hearty sandwich option that works well for larger group meals and casual holiday gatherings.
Philly Cheesesteaks
A familiar option that can give guests an alternative to Italian beef.
Chicken Wings
Easy to share and especially useful for casual parties, office celebrations, and larger gatherings.
Gyros
A different flavor profile that can give guests another choice beyond traditional sandwiches.
Chicken, Burgers & Seafood
Additional options can help create a more varied spread for guests with different preferences.
For guests who want something familiar, Mayo Grill’s Philly cheesesteaks offer several steak and chicken variations.
For guests who want a Chicago-style option, Italian beef can become one of the main foods around which the rest of the spread is built.
Why Italian Beef Can Work Well for Holiday Catering
Italian beef is substantial, familiar, and easy to incorporate into a larger spread.
For a casual holiday party, Italian beef can serve as one of the main foods while guests choose their preferred toppings and accompaniments.
Mayo Grill currently offers a five-pound Italian beef catering package that serves approximately 13–15 guests and includes French bread, fries, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
That makes it possible to build a larger meal around a food that already comes with several traditional accompaniments.
Italian beef does not have to be the entire menu. It can be paired with wings, Philly trays, gyros, salads, sides, drinks, and desserts depending on the size and style of your party.
If you want more information about the sandwich itself, you can also read Mayo Grill’s guide to Italian beef in Aurora.
Are Wings Good for a Holiday Party?
Wings can be one of the easiest foods to incorporate into a casual holiday gathering because guests do not have to sit down for a formal meal.
They can be served as a main option or alongside other foods.
Mayo Grill currently lists larger traditional wing quantities, making wings a practical option when you need a larger amount of shareable food.
Casual office parties
Holiday game nights
Family gatherings
Sports-themed parties
Large open-house events
If you are trying to estimate the number of wings, Mayo Grill also has a dedicated guide explaining how many chicken wings to order per person for different party sizes and serving situations.
For a larger order, you can also review the Mayo Grill chicken wing options in Aurora.
Why Add Gyros to a Holiday Catering Spread?
A mixed holiday menu does not have to be built entirely around sandwiches.
Gyros can give guests a different flavor direction while still being substantial enough to work as part of a larger meal.
Mayo Grill offers gyros in several forms, and its current catering menu includes half and full gyro pans for larger group meals.
That makes gyro a useful option when you want to move beyond an all-sandwich menu.
For guests who already enjoy the flavor combination, you can also direct them to the full Mayo Grill gyros menu in Aurora.
A gyro pan can also be combined with Italian beef, Philly trays, wings, fries, salads, or other foods rather than making it the only main dish.
What Sides Should You Serve at a Holiday Party?
Sides can make a larger catering order feel like a complete meal instead of a collection of main dishes.
The best sides depend on what you choose for the main food.
If the table already includes several heavy sandwiches, you may want to add salads or lighter choices.
If the main food is mostly wings, fries and other substantial sides can help make the meal more filling.
If you are serving Italian beef, traditional accompaniments such as fries, bread, giardiniera, and au jus already become part of the meal.
Fries — a familiar choice that pairs with sandwiches, burgers, wings, and other casual foods.
Salads — useful for guests who want something lighter.
Loaded Fries — can function as a substantial shareable item.
Sauces and Toppings — allow guests to customize their food.
For guests looking for a lighter option, Mayo Grill’s Aurora salad menu includes Garden Salad, Greek Salad, and Grilled Chicken Salad.
You do not need to order every side available.
Two or three well-chosen additions can be enough to round out the menu.
How Do You Handle Different Food Preferences?
You probably cannot choose one food that every guest will love, and you do not have to.
A better strategy is to choose a few foods that appeal to different types of eaters.
For example, an Italian beef and Philly tray combination gives sandwich lovers choices. Adding wings creates another option. Gyros provide a different flavor profile. Salads can give lighter eaters something else.
Sandwich Lovers
Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, and similar options.
Chicken Fans
Wings, chicken sandwiches, tenders, and other chicken options.
Different Flavors
Gyros and other options can keep the menu from feeling like one type of food repeated several times.
Lighter Choices
Salads and lighter sides can give guests an alternative to heavier entrées.
Mayo Grill’s broad menu makes this type of mixed ordering possible because the same restaurant offers Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, wings, chicken, seafood, salads, sides, desserts, and drinks.
Before placing a larger order, ask whether anyone has an important allergy or dietary restriction that needs to be considered.
The goal is not to create a completely different meal for every guest. It is simply to avoid overlooking an important need.
How Much Food Should You Order?
There is no single portion formula that works for every holiday party.
The amount of food you need depends on several factors.
How many people are coming?
Is the food the complete meal?
How many main dishes are you serving?
Are you also serving appetizers?
Will dessert be served?
Will people be eating all at once or throughout the event?
A person will generally take less of one main dish when there are several other substantial foods available.
That is why you should build the menu first and calculate quantities second.
If you want another resource for planning portions, Mayo Grill’s existing party food quantity guide goes into group-size planning in more detail.
For example, if you are serving Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, fries, salad, drinks, and dessert, you do not need to think about each item as if it were the only food being served.
The menu works together.
How Far Ahead Should You Order Holiday Catering?
Large holiday orders should not be treated like ordinary last-minute takeout.
The closer you get to the holidays, the more important planning can become.
Holiday parties often happen on specific dates and at specific times. If the food is supposed to be ready for a company celebration at 6 PM, you do not want to be figuring out the order at 5:30.
Planning ahead gives you time to confirm:
Guest count
Menu selections
Quantities
Pickup or delivery
Serving time
For a larger holiday order, calling the restaurant ahead of time is the safest way to make sure the menu, quantities, and timing are understood.
Should You Pick Up or Have Holiday Catering Delivered?
Both can work. The right choice depends on your location, event size, and schedule.
Pickup can be convenient when someone from the party is already nearby and can bring the food directly to the event.
Delivery can be easier when nobody wants to leave the venue, especially for an office or larger gathering.
Mayo Grill offers pickup and local delivery options depending on the address and current ordering availability.
If you want to pick up the food yourself, Mayo Grill’s Aurora takeout page provides information about ordering ahead and picking up larger orders.
You can also use the Mayo Grill Aurora location page for the restaurant’s address, hours, and ordering options.
Give yourself enough time to receive the order, organize the table, and get everything ready before guests start eating.
How Should You Set Up the Catering Table?
The food has arrived. Now what?
A little organization can make a surprisingly big difference.
If you are serving buffet-style, put plates and utensils at the beginning of the table.
Then arrange the main dishes.
Follow those with sides, sauces, toppings, drinks, and desserts.
1. Plates and utensils
2. Main dishes
3. Sides
4. Sauces and toppings
5. Drinks
6. Desserts
If several foods have similar appearances, simple labels can also help guests understand what they are choosing.
Most importantly, make sure there is enough table space.
A large catering order can take up more room than people expect.
Common Holiday Catering Mistakes
Most catering problems come from planning issues rather than the food itself.
Ordering without a headcount. You cannot estimate food accurately if you do not know how many people are eating.
Offering only one main dish. One food may not work for a group with different tastes.
Ordering too many different entrées. Variety helps, but too many choices can make the order unnecessarily complicated.
Forgetting sides. A few shareable sides can make the meal feel much more complete.
Ignoring dietary restrictions. Ask guests ahead of time about important allergies or dietary needs.
Waiting until the last minute. Holiday events often operate on fixed schedules.
Forgetting serving supplies. Plates, napkins, utensils, cups, and serving utensils should be ready before the food arrives.
Not planning the table. A large catering order needs more space than a normal family dinner.
Holiday Catering Menu Ideas
If you know your guest count but still have no idea what to order, start with a menu concept.
These are examples rather than fixed catering packages.
The Casual Holiday Party
Italian beef, wings, fries, salad, drinks, and a simple dessert.
The Variety Spread
Italian beef, Philly trays, gyros, wings, fries, salads, drinks, and desserts.
The Office Holiday Lunch
Two or three main options, shared sides, drinks, and a dessert option that can be served without interrupting the workday.
The Large Family Gathering
Larger trays and pans, multiple main dishes, sides, drinks, and desserts for guests who may be eating at different times.
The important thing is to build the menu around the event rather than copying someone else’s exact order.
If you are planning a birthday celebration as part of the holiday season, Mayo Grill also has a dedicated guide to birthday party food in Aurora that covers larger group menus and party planning.
How Much Should You Budget for Holiday Catering?
Start with what you want to spend per guest, then build the menu around that number.
A catering budget can change dramatically depending on whether you are serving individual meals or shared food.
A simple party with wings, fries, and drinks is going to be different from a full meal with multiple entrées, sides, desserts, and drinks.
The best way to stay within budget is to decide what matters most.
If variety is the priority, spend more of the budget on two or three different main foods.
If the event is more casual, you may be able to keep the menu smaller and focus on larger quantities of a few crowd favorites.
Remember that your total event food cost may include drinks, desserts, additional sides, larger portions, and delivery fees when applicable.
You do not need the most expensive menu to have a successful holiday party.
You need enough food, enough variety, and a menu that fits the event.
Planning a Holiday Party in Aurora?
Mayo Grill offers catering and larger group orders that can be built around several different types of food.
Mayo Grill is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B in Aurora, Illinois and offers catering for parties, business events, family gatherings, meetings, sports events, and holiday celebrations.
The current catering menu includes larger group options such as Italian beef, traditional wings, gyro pans, and Philly trays, along with individual meals, sides, drinks, and desserts.
That variety can be useful for a holiday party because guests do not have to agree on one type of food.
One person can choose Italian beef while another prefers a Philly, gyro, wings, chicken, seafood, burger, or salad.
5 Pounds of Italian Beef — currently listed as serving approximately 13–15 guests and includes fries, French bread, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
50 Traditional Wings — a larger shareable quantity for parties and group meals.
100 Traditional Wings — a larger option for events with more guests or where wings are a major part of the menu.
Half Pan Gyro — currently listed as serving 6–8 guests and includes pita bread, fries, tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes.
Full Pan Gyro — currently listed as serving 14–16 guests with pita bread, fries, tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes.
Mayo Grill also offers Philly Cheesesteak and Philly Chicken trays, making it possible to create a mixed menu instead of relying on one main dish.
For a larger holiday order, start with the Mayo Grill catering page and call ahead to discuss your guest count, menu, quantities, timing, and current availability.
How Could You Build a Mayo Grill Holiday Catering Order?
The best order depends on your guest count and event, but the menu can be approached in a few different ways.
Small Holiday Gathering
Choose a few individual meals or a small combination of shared foods based on what your guests prefer.
Medium Party
Combine Italian beef, wings, a Philly or gyro option, and a few sides to give guests variety.
Large Holiday Event
Build the order around larger trays and pans, then add sides, drinks, and other items based on the final guest count.
Office Holiday Party
Use a variety-focused menu so employees can choose between sandwiches, wings, gyros, chicken, salads, and other options.
These are starting points rather than fixed packages.
The restaurant can help determine the right quantities once you know the guest count and what you want to serve.
A Simple Holiday Catering Timeline
Breaking the planning into steps makes the entire process easier.
Start With the Guest List
Get a realistic estimate of how many people will attend.
Choose the Event Format
Decide whether guests will sit down for a meal, serve themselves buffet-style, or eat throughout the event.
Build the Menu
Choose your main dishes first, then add sides, drinks, and desserts.
Confirm Dietary Needs
Ask about important allergies or dietary restrictions before placing the final order.
Contact the Restaurant
For a larger catering order, discuss the guest count, menu, quantities, timing, and pickup or delivery.
Prepare the Event Space
Make sure you have enough tables, serving space, plates, utensils, cups, napkins, and trash containers.
Receive the Food Early Enough
Give yourself enough time to organize the catering before guests begin eating.
What Makes a Good Holiday Catering Menu?
The best holiday catering menu is one that matches the people, the event, and the way the food will be served.
You do not need to order every food on the menu.
You do not need to calculate every portion down to the last bite.
And you do not need to make every guest eat the same thing.
Instead, focus on the basics:
Know your guest count.
Choose a few substantial foods.
Give guests enough variety.
Add sides, drinks, and dessert when appropriate.
Plan around the event schedule.
Contact the restaurant early for larger orders.
A little planning can turn holiday catering from one of the most stressful parts of the event into one of the easiest.
Holiday Party Catering FAQs
What food is good for a holiday party?
Popular choices include Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, gyros, chicken, burgers, salads, fries, and other shareable foods. The best combination depends on the type and size of your event.
How much food do I need for a holiday party?
Start with the number of guests and determine whether the catered food will be the full meal. The number and variety of main dishes, sides, appetizers, and desserts will also affect how much of each individual food you need.
Is buffet catering better than individual meals for a holiday party?
Buffet catering can work well for larger parties because guests can choose what they want. Individual meals may be easier for smaller groups or events where everyone has already selected their meal.
Does Mayo Grill offer holiday party catering?
Yes. Mayo Grill offers catering and larger group orders for holiday celebrations, parties, office events, family gatherings, and other occasions.
How many people does Mayo Grill’s Italian beef catering package serve?
Mayo Grill currently lists its five-pound Italian beef catering package as serving approximately 13–15 guests. It includes French bread, fries, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
Does Mayo Grill offer wings for large holiday parties?
Yes. Mayo Grill currently lists larger traditional wing quantities for group orders.
Does Mayo Grill offer gyro catering?
Yes. Mayo Grill currently lists half and full gyro pans as larger group options.
Can I order different foods for the same holiday party?
Yes. A larger order can combine different foods such as Italian beef, wings, gyros, Philly trays, sandwiches, sides, drinks, and other menu options.
How far ahead should I order holiday catering?
Larger holiday orders should be planned ahead so the guest count, menu, quantities, and timing can be confirmed. Contact the restaurant directly for larger or time-sensitive orders.
Where is Mayo Grill located?
Mayo Grill is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B, Aurora, IL 60505.
Planning Food for a Larger Gathering?
Holiday parties are only one type of event where choosing the right food and quantities matters.
If you are planning another type of gathering, Mayo Grill’s existing birthday party food guide covers group menus, larger parties, individual meals, catering, and different guest preferences.
If wings are going to be a major part of the event, the chicken wing quantity guide can help with portion planning.
For a broader look at group ordering, you can also read Best Food for Group Orders in Aurora, IL.
Planning a Holiday Party in Aurora?
Start with your guest count, decide what kind of meal you want to serve, and choose a few foods that give your guests plenty of variety.
Mayo Grill offers catering and larger group orders including Italian beef, traditional wings, gyro pans, Philly trays, individual meals, sides, drinks, desserts, and other menu options.
For a larger holiday order, call ahead to discuss your guest count, menu, quantities, timing, and current catering availability.
Holiday Parties, Catering & Aurora Favorites
954 East New York Street Unit B
Aurora, IL 60505
(331) 258-6603
Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–10 PM | Sunday: 11 AM–8 PM
