Holiday Etiquette 101: 10 Tips for Bringing the Right Food

Holiday gatherings are a magical mix of joy, chaos, and that one cousin who always shows up with something questionable. Maybe it's a bowl of neon green gelatin. Maybe it's a mystery casserole. Maybe it's just a 2 liter of Mountain Dew and vibes. 

Whatever the case, bringing the right food to a holiday event is an underrated life skill, much like parallel parking or folding a fitted sheet. If you want to be the guest that everyone loves, or at least the one that doesn't get judged on Tiktok, here are 10 friendly, festive and slightly cool tips to help you to nail your holiday food etiquette.

Ask the host what they need.

It's super basic as a tip, but before you start browsing recipe blogs or pulling out your grandmother's favorite nutmeg grinder, send your host a quick text. Ask what they actually want you to bring. Not only will this prevent duplicates, it will make the host feel supported and it stops you from showing up with something that clashes with the menu. It's easy, it's thoughtful, and it prevents a lot of awkwardness when you show up with the 15th sweet potato bake.

Bring something that travels well.

As delightful as the towering trifle or piping hot souffle may be, consider whether the poor thing will survive the journey to your destination. Some dishes simply aren't meant for car rides involving southern stops, potholes or speed bumps that appear out of nowhere. Choose something sturdy like hearty casseroles, roasted vegetables, breads, cookies or dips. You could even decide to box up a load of drinks, but just make sure you bring a cooler of ice because you can't serve drinks without ice, right?

Label your dish like you mean it.

In the age of allergies and dietary preferences, unlabeled food is the culinary equivalent of a mystery box challenge. Be the hero and scribble down what your dish is. Bonus points if you note major allergens like nuts, dairy, gluten, or contains mushrooms. Your label doesn't need to be fancy, a sticky note will do, but you need to give the other guests a fighting chance, especially those who bring an EpiPen to the gathering.

Don't experiment too much.

As much as you may love to experiment in the kitchen, the holidays are not the time to debut your attempt at bacon infused vegan sushi stuffed with spiced persimmons and hope for the best. Stick to the flavours and foods that people recognize so your dish actually gets eaten. Comfort classics will win every time and you can still put your twist on things. Just maybe skip the molecular gastronomy unless your host has specifically requested edible holiday fog.

Respect the dietary landscape.

Between your vegan niece, your gluten free neighbor and your keto co-worker, your uncle who claims to be allergic to anything green, the holiday food terrain can be tricky to navigate. Choose at least one dish that fits a common dietary need or make your offering adaptable. A customizable salad, a dairy free dessert or a simple roasted vegetable platter can make you look shockingly considerate. You don't have to cater to every single preference but a nod in their direction shows the holiday spirit at its finest. 

Don't bring something that requires the host's entire kitchen.

There's nothing worse than arriving at a party and announcing that you need another 45 minutes for the oven, the pans, the burners and a stand mixer. Hosts are busy juggling 100 things already and you don't want to add to their load. Bring your dish fully cooked, fully assembled and ready to serve. At most, ask for a quick reheat and that's it. If your dish has more instructions than a new IKEA dresser, it's not the right choice for a holiday event.

Think about temperature like a pro.

Temperature is the silent killer of good party food. Cold things should stay cold, hot things should stay hot, and lukewarm things are the sadness of the buffet table. If you're bringing something warm, insulate it with towels, blankets, or even a cooler. If it's something cold, ice packs are your best friend. Being aware of the temperature will go a long way toward avoiding food. That's sort of in between and kind of concerning, and it means that you're not going to have to use the kitchen when you arrive.

Presentation is a holiday gift.

You do not need to carve rose shaped radishes or sprinkle microgreens like you're in a cooking competition. Just make your dish look good. Choose a nice serving container and if your food looks like a beige blob, add a garnish. Parsley, pomegranate seeds, a sprinkle of cinnamon. Boom, festive.

Portion like you know that people eat during the holidays.

The holidays are the Super Bowl of eating. Bring enough food to share generously. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough for at least 8-10 people unless otherwise instructed. If your dish is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, it's a snack, not a contribution. That said, you don't need to bring an industrial sized VAT of mashed potatoes unless you've been specifically assigned Mashed potato duty. Moderation is also an art.

Leave your food drama at home.

This is about connection and not competition, So don't hover over your dish waiting for compliments. Don't announce that your casserole took six hours and the emotional labour of a parent raising twins. And please don't sulk if your dish isn't devoured instantly. The joy is in sharing, not in earning a Michelin star from your grandma. Relax, laugh, eat something that someone else made, and yes, feel smug. If your dish disappears first, just do it on the inside.

Food brings people together. The holidays remind us why that matters. And your delicious dish could be practical, labeled, and reasonably normal, which might just be the thing that makes the celebration shine that little bit brighter.

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