We have a secret: Planning how much food to serve at the holidays doesn’t have to be daunting! In fact, with our easy charts, you’ll be able to make sure all plates and glasses are full while having time to enjoy the festivities yourself. (These cheery slow cooker recipes can also help.)
Here’s a quick guide to how many drinks and how much food to stock, course by course.
Appetizers
On average, each guest will have about six appetizers, although this number may double if it’s a cocktail-style event. You want enough to keep your guests satisfied, but not so many that their appetites will be ruined. (Here are some quick crowd-pleasing apps in 15 minutes or less.)
Pro tip: Stock up on bulk items like nuts, pretzels and olives that guests can munch on when they arrive.
| Guests | Appetizer |
| 5 | 30 appetizers |
| 10 | 60 appetizers |
| 20 | 120 appetizers |
| 50 | 240 appetizers |
Entrees and Sides
The main event! Remember, the more options you have available, the smaller each portion size will generally be.
- Poultry, fish or meat: 6 ounces per serving.
- Grains: 1.5 ounces as a side dish, 2 ounces as a main dish casserole.
- Potatoes: 5 ounces.
- Vegetables: 4 ounces.
- Beans: 2 ounces.
- Pasta: 4 ounces (main dish-less for a side dish).
- Green salad: 1 ounce, without dressing.
- Bread such as buns, rolls or corn bread: 1 to 2 pieces (or more if each piece is small)
These impressive Christmas recipes will be the star of your dinner table.
Desserts
We know that no matter how filling dinner was, there’s always room for dessert.
- Cake, tart, pastry: 1 slice per guest.
- Creamy desserts: 4 ounces.
- Ice cream: 5 ounces.
| Guests | Cake/Tart/Pastry | Creamy Dessert | Ice Cream |
| 5 | 5 slices | 20 oz. | 25 oz. |
| 10 | 10 slices | 40 oz. | 50 oz. |
| 20 | 20 slices | 80 oz. | 100 oz. |
| 50 | 50 slices | 200 oz. | 250 oz. |
These traditional Christmas desserts are must-makes.
Drinks
We can’t decide which would be worse: running out of dinner or running out of drinks. Several factors govern ensuring that everyone stays, ahem, hydrated, including its duration, where it will be held and your guests’ preferences. These general guidelines are for holiday parties that are two hours long. If you offer more than one type of alcohol, you can get away with buying less per type.
- Ice: 1 pound per person.
- Wine: One bottle of wine for every two adult guests. It’s best for white to slightly outnumber red.
- Beer: Two servings per guest for the first hour, and then one for each additional hour.
- Champagne: 1.5 glasses per person for a premeal cocktail, three glasses per person at dinner. (We like to vary up the typical glass of bubbly by making a champagne punch.)
- Spirits: Three drinks per person. You’ll get about 17 drinks per bottle.
- Liqueurs and Post-Dinner Drinks: One drink per guest, 15 drinks per bottle
- Nonalcoholic beverages: One drink per person if alcohol is provided, three per person if alcohol isn’t. (Here are some Christmas cocktails and mocktails.)
Here’s How Much To Buy (Note: we’re assuming you’re only serving one type of alcohol. If you’re offering more, then reduce the amount of each type)
| Guests | Wine | Beer | Champagne | Spirits | Liqueurs | Nonalcoholic | Ice |
| 5 guests | 3 bottles | 15 bottles | 3 bottles | 1 bottle | 1 bottle | 5 (if alcohol provided)/15 (if not) | 5 lbs |
| 10 guests | 5 bottles | 30 bottles | 3 bottles | 2 bottles | 1 bottle | 10/30 | 10 lbs |
| 20 guests | 10 bottles | 60 bottles | 10 bottles | 4 bottles | 2 bottles | 20/60 | 20 lbs |
| 50 guests | 25 bottles | 150 bottles | 25 bottles | 9 bottles | 4 bottles | 50/150 | 50 lbs |
Luckily, spirits don’t go bad once open, so if something doesn’t get finished, you can save it for later. Still, don’t open anything you don’t need to-you don’t want to have several half bottles of wine left over.
Making sure that you have enough servings to keep all guests happy-especially if they go back for seconds or thirds-is key to pulling off a holiday they’ll fondly remember down the road.
Here’s another tip for hosting success: Be sure to use natural air fresheners throughout the house to help keep bathrooms and other main areas of your home smelling “ah” instead of “ew”.
Keep in mind that our estimates are nearly exact, but a good rule of thumb is to round up from these and err on the side of having too much-and we doubt you’ll complain if you end up with a few leftovers. (And if you do, here’s what to make with leftovers!)
Get Cooking With These Christmas Recipes
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Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings
I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn't a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Holiday Green Bean Casserole
Try this green bean casserole and you'll never go back to the old stuff. — Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, Idaho
Cranberry-Orange Roasted Turkey
You'll have an elegant centerpiece to your meal with this tender, juicy turkey. The cranberry makes it so good. It has such a wonderful aroma and flavor. —Kara de la Vega, Santa Rosa, California
Cranberry Glazed Ham
That show-stopping entree you've been hoping for is right here, and it only takes five ingredients to make. The sweet and tangy cranberry glaze pairs beautifully with succulent ham. —Joni Peterson, Wichita, Kansas
Traditional Holiday Stuffing
Sausage and sage add a gourmet taste to this stuffing. It's perfect for large family gatherings, but you can also save some for later. —Lorraine Brauckhoff, Zolfo Springs, Florida
Holiday Lettuce Salad
My family always requests that I make this salad for get-togethers. It's light and very good; everyone goes back for seconds. —Bryan Braack, Eldridge, Iowa
Classic Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
Champagne Cocktail
This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned. Try it with extra-dry champagne. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup
I made this soup for the first time in the summer, but when I saw its bright red and green colors, my first thought was what a perfect Christmas Eve dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Crown Roast with Apricot Dressing
I have been making crown roasts for many years but was only satisfied with the results when I combined a few recipes to come up with this guest-pleasing version. It’s beautifully roasted with an apricot glaze and a nicely browned stuffing. —Isabell Cooper, Cambridge, Nova Scotia
Company's Coming Turkey
This recipe accomplishes every cook's turkey wish—a bird that brings the flavor of seasonings and herbs in every bite. It's the perfect, mouthwatering centerpiece for your celebration, and it's very easy to prepare. —Caroline Wamelink, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Christmas Meatballs
Cranberry sauce and brown sugar create a tangy glaze for moist meatballs that are good Christmas appetizers or Christmas dinner ideas. We love them so much, I prepare them year-round. —Joyce Bentley, Redlands, California
Festive Rice
My mom and I transformed plain rice by adding feta, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and cayenne. We wound up with a sweet and spicy crowd-pleaser. —Lisa de Perio, Dallas, Texas
Citrus-Molasses Glazed Ham
We are always searching for new ways to utilize Florida citrus, which is plentiful during the holidays in our own backyard. I know you will enjoy this. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
New England Lamb Bake
This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine
Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
Prime rib always makes an impression on a holiday dinner table. But it's actually easy to prepare. This roast is wonderfully flavored with a prime rib rub featuring lots of fresh herbs. —Jennifer Dennis, Alhambra, California
Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni
To make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
Classic Beef Wellingtons
Perfect for holidays, this beef wellington is also impressively easy. Find ready-made puff pastry sheets in the frozen food section. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Molded Cranberry-Orange Salad
I take this dish to potlucks during the holidays. People always ooh and aah. Feel free to sub whipped cream for the celery curl garnish. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Honey Whole Wheat Pan Rolls
With their pleasant wheat flavor and a honey of a glaze, these rolls impress my guests. Every time I take them to potluck dinners, I come home with an empty pan. —Nancye Thompson, Paducah, Kentucky
Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with a sweet dressing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cranberry-Orange Sangria
Letting this sangria sit in the fridge overnight improves the fruitiness, making it the perfect make-ahead drink for a holiday party. It's also nice with a splash of brandy. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
Mediterranean Rack of Lamb
It’s elegant. It’s special. And it will have your guests thinking you went all out. They don’t have to know how simple it is. —Susan Nilsson, Sterling, Virginia
Artichoke Caprese Platter
I dressed up the classic Italian trio of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with marinated artichokes. It looks so yummy on a pretty platter set out on a buffet. Using fresh mozzarella is the key to its great taste. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, California
Spiced Eggnog Pumpkin Pie
With its 10-minute prep time and lovely blend of mild eggnog flavor and spices, this is dream dessert for a busy hostess! It’s a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, my grown kids request it whenever they come to visit. —Patti Leake, Columbia, Missouri
Cranberry Chutney
You can serve this chunky chutney over cream cheese or Brie with crackers, or as a condiment with roast pork or poultry. Either way, its slightly tart flavor and deep red hue lend a festive flair to the table. —Karyn Gordon, Rockledge, Florida
Warm Tasty Greens with Garlic
My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado
Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie
You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia and being at my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family. —Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia
Mocha Yule Log
This eye-catching dessert is guaranteed to delight holiday dinner guests. Chocolate lovers will lick their lips over the yummy cocoa cake, mocha filling and frosting. For a festive touch, I garnish the log with marzipan holly leaves and berries. —Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
Moist Cranberry Pork Roast
I love to serve this tender, flavorful pork to guests. You don’t have to toil away in the kitchen to prepare it, yet it tastes like a gourmet meal. —Kimberley Scasny, Douglasville, Georgia
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
There's more to pumpkin than pie, as this impressive trifle proves. It looks so elegant with alternating layers of gingerbread cake and pumpkin/butterscotch pudding. Try making it ahead of time for a fuss-free dessert when you're planning to entertain guests. —Lyla Lehenbauer, New London, Missouri
Brie Puff Pastry
My husband was in the Air Force so we've entertained guests in many parts of the world. I acquired this recipe while in California. It's one of my favorite special appetizers. —Sandra Twait, Tampa, Florida
Merry Berry Salad
Dried cranberries, crunchy apple chunks and toasted almonds dress up this crisp green salad. It's drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing that's a snap to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spiced Acorn Squash
Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved. So I re-created many of our favorites in the slow cooker. This cinnamony treatment for squash is one of them. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York
Savory Pork Roast
I love this herbed roast so much that I make it as often as I can. It's wonderful for special occasions, particularly when served with sweet potatoes and corn muffins. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole
Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona
White Chocolate Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti
Over the years, I've adapted my most-requested biscotti recipe to add some of my favorite ingredients: cranberries, white chocolate and pistachios. This biscotti keeps and freezes well.—Susan Nelson, Newbury Park, California
Standing Rib Roast
Want to learn how to cook rib roast? This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado
Pretty Duchess Potatoes
Comfort-food flavor comes in attractive packages that are just the right size! This recipe is a favorite Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving menu idea. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen