Christmas Party Calculator — Festive Planning

For a sit-down Christmas dinner with a whole turkey, allow ~450-500g (1lb) raw turkey on the bone per person — or up to 680g if you want Boxing Day leftovers. That raw figure accounts for bone and roasting loss; the cooked portion is only ~140-175g per head, and a boneless breast joint is ~200-300g raw. Add vegetables, stuffing and dessert on top. For a Christmas buffet, plan 400-500g per person. A drinks party needs ~8-10 canapes per person.

One cracker per guest is standard. Standard UK retail boxes are 6 (luxury) or 12 (family), with some 8 or 10 packs around. Have a couple of spares for people who want to pull more than one. Luxury crackers cost £3-£8 each; standard ones are £1-£2 each. Budget crackers can be found from £0.50 each.

A home dinner party costs £15-£30 per head for food and drink. A restaurant Christmas party runs £30-£60 per person. An office party at a venue costs £40-£80 per head including entertainment. The most expensive element is usually venue hire or restaurant booking.

Essentials: table centrepieces, crackers, candles, and a Christmas tree or focal point. Nice extras: fairy lights, garlands, napkin rings, place cards, and themed tableware. Budget £5-£15 per table for centrepieces and £2-£5 per metre for garlands.