Not every holiday celebration needs to be a big night out. Sometimes, the most meaningful gatherings happen right at the office. This year, why not surprise your team by transforming your break room or conference space into a festive Holiday Market Pop-Up?
Christkindl markets are beloved and nostalgic experiences that stem from Germany- they’re typically a great way to support local small businesses, try warm and delicious food, and sip on punch and mulled wine. This is a Christmas party idea your staff will love!
At Saz’s Catering, we love helping companies turn everyday spaces into extraordinary experiences. With cozy décor, creative food stations, and a touch of seasonal charm, your office can feel like a bustling holiday marketplace—without anyone braving the cold.
Setting the Scene: Market-Inspired Décor
The key to this theme is creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Think rustic, cozy, and just a little whimsical.
- Market stalls: Use plaid tablecloths, baskets, and chalkboard signs to style tables like vendor booths.
- Greenery and lights: Bring some string lights that have been sitting in your basement and place them overhead and add touches of pine or cedar for instant seasonal charm
- Interactive touches: A DIY wooden ornament or craft station doubles as an activity and take-home memory.
- Bonus: invite a local charity to set up a booth and talk about their end-of-year giving campaign or drive they are hosting during the holiday season. It’s a great way to foster community relationships and get your team involved in a great cause!
Pair these Christmas party decorations with some cheerful holiday tunes, and suddenly your office feels like a Christmas market in the heart of Europe.
A Market-Style Menu Guests Will Love
Catering your holiday lunch for your office with these themed dishes will really add to the ambiance and experience for your team. What makes this idea so engaging is that each “stall” can serve a different flavor, giving guests variety and movement throughout the event. Here’s a menu that feels festive and approachable:
- Soup shots station: Tomato basil and butternut squash served in small cups.
- Pretzels & dips: Cheese, mustard, or chocolate dipping sauces.
- Flatbreads & pizzettes: Seasonal toppings like caramelized onion with goat cheese or roasted veggies.
- Mini sliders: Turkey-cranberry, pulled pork, or veggie sliders.
- Bonus for authenticity! Christkindl cheese sandwich – an Alpine raclette sandwich featuring a whole wheel of Alpine raclette cheese melted and scraped onto a baguette with pickles, Dijon mustard, and your choice of ham or bratwurst.
Budget-Friendly Additions
These budget-friendly appetizers keep the spread abundant without going overboard for your holiday party:
- Loaded baked potato bites
- Holiday salad cups with arugula, candied pecans, cranberries, and feta
- Flatbread pinwheels (turkey, spinach, cream cheese, cranberry spread)
These small, satisfying bites make your Christmas party food both memorable and practical.
Sweet Treats, Market Style
A market-inspired dessert spread feels both nostalgic and festive. Think of it as a sweets stall everyone wants to stop at:
- Brownie bites dusted with peppermint
- Rice Krispie Treats cut into holiday shapes
- A sugar cookie decorating station
- Bite-sized seasonal pastries
It’s the perfect way to add hands-on ideas into your Christmas party menu while satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth.
Drinks to Warm the Market
No holiday market is complete without cozy drinks. Offer both a festive cocktail and a warming mocktail to cater to everyone’s preferences:
Cocktail: Spiced Apple Sangria
A blend of apple cider, white wine, brandy, and cinnamon. Garnished with apple slices and star anise for a polished finish.
Mocktail: Mulled Berry Cider
Apple juice, cranberry juice, cinnamon, and cloves—served warm in mugs with orange slices.
Both cocktail/mocktail drinks are great ideas to incorporate into your end of year celebrations.
Why a Holiday Market Works for Corporate Events
This theme is approachable, adaptable, and perfect for workplaces that want to bring cheer into the office without the formality of a sit-down meal. It’s one of those ideas that makes an office holiday party feel thoughtful, unique, and personal.
Plus, it’s easy to scale. Whether you’re planning a quick mid-day break or a larger evening event, the market-style setup works beautifully. Catering a Christmas party in Milwaukee has never felt so easy, creative, and fun!
With the ideas comes the logistics and planning, and at Saz’s, our corporate event catering team helps take care of the details, from layout to menu design, so you can focus on celebrating with your staff.
Let Saz’s Bring the Holiday Market to You
We know how important it is to show appreciation during the holidays. That’s why we design experiences that feel warm, and personal. From cozy décor to thoughtful menus and professional service, our catering services span from Wauwatosa to Waukesha and beyond to make your party planning endeavors effortless.
So, think big this year when it comes to celebrating your team. Give your staff the joy of a festive market right in the office. It’s more than food—it’s a way to say thank you, celebrate the season, and create memories your team will treasure. Get started planning with the Saz’s team today: