The Christmas season represents the pinnacle of hospitality revenue opportunities. With Christmas period being a key driver of revenue for many establishments, strategic menu management throughout December can significantly impact annual profitability and set the stage for strong 2026 performance.
Comprehensive December Strategy Overview
Early December: Holiday Party Season (December 1-15)
Corporate Party Focus:
The early December period focuses heavily on corporate celebrations and office parties. Businesses are either looking for a place to hold their party, or one to cater it.
Menu Strategy for Corporate Events:
- Cocktail Party Packages: Passed hors d’oeuvres + open bar for 2 hours ($35-55 per person)
- Seated Dinner Options: Three-course holiday meals with wine pairings ($65-95 per person)
- Buffet Style Service: Self-service holiday favorites for large groups ($25-40 per person)
- Late-Night Packages: After-work celebrations with appetizers and drink specials
Mid-December: Family and Social Gatherings (December 16-23)
This period shifts focus toward family celebrations and social gatherings before Christmas Day.
Family-Friendly Holiday Menus:
- Christmas Eve Dinner: Traditional feast with prime rib, glazed ham, seasonal sides
- Holiday Brunch Options: Weekend brunches with Christmas-themed dishes
- Children’s Holiday Menu: Half-portions and kid-friendly holiday treats
- Takeout Family Packages: Complete Christmas meals for home celebrations
Post-Christmas: New Year’s Preparation (December 26-31)
New Year’s Eve Strategy:
- Champagne and Cocktail Focus: Premium bubbly selections and festive cocktails
- Party Packages: Admission + dinner + champagne toast at midnight
- Late-Night Menu: Hearty foods that pair well with alcohol and late-night celebration
- Recovery Options: New Year’s Day brunch with restorative foods and hair-of-the-dog cocktails
Digital Menu Christmas Transformation
Visual Design Strategy
Christmas Theme Elements for Evergreen’s Digital Platform:
- Color Scheme: Rich reds, forest greens, gold accents, and winter whites
- Seasonal Imagery: Snowflakes, holly, Christmas trees, twinkling lights
- Typography: Elegant serif fonts that convey warmth and tradition
- Animated Elements: Gentle snowfall effects, twinkling lights, or subtle ornament movements
- Background Music Integration: Soft holiday music that complements the visual experience
Content Organization Strategy
Menu Section Structure:
- “Christmas Classics”: Traditional holiday dishes with premium ingredients
- “Winter Warmer Cocktails”: Mulled wines, hot toddies, and seasonal martinis
- “Santa’s Favorites”: High-margin items positioned as holiday specialties
- “Naughty & Nice”: Playful section with indulgent and lighter options
- “Midnight Toast”: Champagne and sparkling wine selections for New Year’s
Revenue-Maximizing Menu Development
Premium Holiday Cocktail Program
Signature Christmas Cocktails:
- Peppermint Bark Martini: Vodka, chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, crushed candy cane rim
- Spiced Cranberry Mule: Bourbon, cranberry juice, ginger beer, cinnamon stick garnish
- Eggnog Old Fashioned: Bourbon, eggnog, simple syrup, nutmeg, orange peel
- Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail: Champagne, pomegranate juice, rosemary sprig
- Hot Buttered Rum: Dark rum, butter, brown sugar, warm spices
High-Margin Holiday Food Items
Christmas Dinner Centerpieces:
- Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding: Premium cut with traditional accompaniments ($45-65)
- Glazed Ham with Pineapple: Classic holiday ham with seasonal glaze ($35-45)
- Stuffed Turkey Breast: Individual portions with sage stuffing ($28-38)
- Beef Wellington: Premium option for special occasion dining ($55-75)
Seasonal Side Dishes:
- Truffle Mac and Cheese: Elevated comfort food with premium ingredients
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Popular vegetable with indulgent preparation
- Sweet Potato Gratin: Rich, creamy preparation of seasonal vegetables
- Wild Rice Stuffing: Artisanal stuffing with nuts and dried fruits
Dessert and Sweet Ending Strategy
Holiday Dessert Showcase:
- Traditional Christmas Pudding: With brandy butter and seasonal fruits
- Gingerbread Tiramisu: Modern twist on classic holiday flavors
- Peppermint Chocolate Tart: Rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint
- Eggnog Crème Brûlée: Creamy custard with holiday spice and caramelized sugar
Pricing Strategy and Package Development
Tiered Package Options
Christmas Eve Packages:
- Classic Christmas: Soup, main course, two sides, dessert ($55 per person)
- Premium Celebration: Appetizer, salad, choice of two main courses, three sides, dessert ($75 per person)
- Luxury Experience: Champagne reception, multiple courses, wine pairings, special dessert ($95 per person)
New Year’s Eve Packages:
- Countdown Package: Four-course dinner + midnight champagne toast ($85 per person)
- VIP Celebration: Premium seating + cocktail hour + five-course meal + open bar ($125 per person)
- Private Party Option: Exclusive space for groups of 20+ with customized menu
Early Bird and Loyalty Incentives
December Booking Incentives:
- November Bookings: 15% discount on Christmas Eve dinner reservations
- Group Bookings (8+): Complimentary bottle of wine for early December reservations
- Loyalty Members: Priority seating and exclusive menu previews
- Corporate Accounts: 10% discount for holiday party bookings over $1,000
Operational Excellence During Holiday Rush
Staff Preparation and Training
December Staffing Strategy:
- Kitchen: 50% increase in prep cooks, 30% additional line cooks
- Service: 40% more servers, 25% additional bartenders
- Management: Extended management coverage during peak service periods
- Support: Additional bussers, food runners, and cleaning staff
Holiday-Specific Training:
- Menu Knowledge: Detailed training on new holiday dishes and ingredients
- Wine Pairings: Education on holiday wine selections and recommendations
- Service Standards: Enhanced service protocols for holiday celebrations
- Upselling Techniques: Strategies for promoting high-margin holiday items
Kitchen Operations and Prep
Advanced Preparation Timeline:
- November 15: Finalize December menus and supplier arrangements
- November 25: Begin staff training and prep schedule planning
- December 1: Start advanced prep for items that can be made ahead
- December 15: Intensify prep for Christmas week and New Year’s Eve
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- Desserts: Most holiday desserts can be prepared 2-3 days in advance
- Sauces and Gravies: Prepare base sauces and finish to order
- Vegetable Prep: Wash, chop, and portion vegetables for efficient service
- Protein Preparation: Season and marinate proteins in advance when possible
Marketing Integration and Customer Engagement
Social Media Holiday Campaign
Content Strategy Throughout December:
- Weekly Themes: “Cocktail Monday,” “Wine Wednesday,” “Family Friday”
- Behind-the-Scenes: Kitchen prep, staff holiday preparations, decoration setup
- Customer Stories: Holiday celebration photos and testimonials from previous years
- Live Content: Real-time holiday party coverage and special event highlights
Email Marketing Campaign
December Email Schedule:
- December 1: Holiday menu launch and corporate party availability
- December 8: Family celebration options and Christmas Eve reservations
- December 15: Last-chance Christmas bookings and New Year’s Eve party details
- December 22: New Year’s Eve final availability and special midnight packages
- December 29: New Year’s Day recovery brunch and January promotions
Gift Card Holiday Strategy
Gift cards/certificates are a popular holiday gift and an effective way to secure repeat business.
Gift Card Promotions:
- Holiday Bonus: Purchase $100 in gift cards, receive $25 bonus card
- Corporate Sales: Special pricing for businesses buying employee gifts
- Last-Minute Gifts: Digital gift cards available for immediate purchase and delivery
- New Year Incentive: Bonus value for gift cards purchased in late December
Technology Integration and Digital Menu Management
Scheduling and Automation
Evergreen’s advanced scheduling features support December operations:
Automated Menu Rotations:
- Early December: Corporate party packages and holiday cocktails
- Mid-December: Family dinner options and Christmas specials
- Christmas Week: Limited holiday menu with premium items
- New Year’s Week: Party packages and champagne selections
Real-Time Inventory Management
Digital Menu Integration:
- Automatic removal of sold-out holiday items
- Real-time updates of daily specials and chef recommendations
- Dynamic pricing for premium items based on availability
- Instant menu changes for weather-related adjustments
Post-Holiday Strategy and January Transition
New Year’s Day Recovery
January 1st Menu Strategy:
- Recovery Brunch: Hearty breakfast items, restorative cocktails, comfort foods
- Healthy Start Options: Lighter fare for customers beginning New Year’s resolutions
- Hair of the Dog: Specialty cocktails designed to cure hangovers
- Family Comfort: Kid-friendly options for families recovering from celebrations
January Revenue Bridge
Maintaining Momentum:
- Dry January Options: Mocktails and non-alcoholic specialty drinks
- Resolution-Friendly Menu: Lighter options and healthy alternatives to holiday indulgence
- Winter Comfort Foods: Hearty soups, stews, and warming dishes for cold weather
- Valentine’s Day Preview: Early introduction of romantic menu items and promotions
Performance Analysis and 2026 Planning
Key December Metrics
Revenue Tracking:
- Total December sales vs. previous December and November 2025
- Average order value for holiday packages vs. regular menu items
- Corporate party bookings and associated revenue
- Gift card sales and bonus value impact on cash flow
Operational Metrics:
- Service timing and efficiency during peak holiday service
- Customer satisfaction scores and feedback analysis
- Staff performance and retention during holiday stress period
- Food cost percentages and waste analysis for holiday items
Ready to capture the full revenue potential of the Christmas season? Evergreen’s comprehensive digital menu platform provides the sophisticated scheduling, real-time management, and professional presentation capabilities needed for holiday success.
Start your free trial today and transform your December holiday strategy with professional digital menu management that drives revenue while creating memorable customer experiences.
