With something for everyone, buffets make the perfect feast for Christmas parties, Boxing Day or Twixtmas entertaining. Below, you'll find ideas for a mouth-wateringly memorable and easy festive spread.
Christmas centrepieces
Shimmering salmon mousse, succulent blood orange & festive spiced ham and a vegan wellington… these sumptuous serve-yourself centrepieces will be the stars of the show on any buffet table. The moreish mains below are all from our convenient Food Made To Order service, where you’ll find a delicious range of prepared food – perfect if you’re short on time or want to take the stress out of entertaining.
Shimmering Salmon Mousse
Treat your guests to something really special this Christmas – tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish. Serves 8.
NEW Blood Orange & Festive Spice Wiltshire Ham
A succulent roasted ham joint seasoned with spiced blood orange, finished with a zesty braised cranberry topping. Our ham is Wiltshire cured and matured on the bone, so it’s full of flavour and perfectly tender. Serves 22.
NEW No.1 Cornish Quartz Cheddar & Caramelised Shallot Galette
All-butter puff pastry with an indulgent crème fraîche and Quartz Cheddar cheese filling, topped with caramelised shallots. Serves 6.
British Easy Carve Duck with Plum & Chestnut
This plump and succulent part-deboned whole British duck comes with a pork, plum and chestnut stuffing, and cooks in a foil tray for convenience. Great for gluten-free guests. Serves 6.
PlantLiving Ultimate Festive Sharing Wellington
Moreish mushroom duxelle meets plant-based ‘beef’ braised in a shallot, garlic and thyme vegetable stock. Ready to slice and share, with a holly decoration adding a jolly touch. Serves 4.
No.1 30-day Dry Aged British Beef Rump Joint
The flavour, tenderness and succulence of the beef develops during the traditional dry ageing process, making it a fabulous addition to any festive buffet. Serves 10-12.
NEW Salmon, Trout, Lemon & Mascarpone Terrine
Hot smoked salmon and smoked trout mousse with silky lemon and mascarpone mousse, topped with Scottish smoked salmon. Serves 6-8.
Christmas party food
‘Tis the season to wow your guests with fabulously festive finger food. Combine crunchy king prawn toasts, crispy bacon carbonara cups and super-cute handmade mini Santa bao buns made by us, with hassle-free Christmas canape winners made by you.
NEW No.1 8 King Prawn Toasts
These crunchy prawn toasts are topped with a succulent, tail-on king prawn, and come with a zingy soy, ginger and lime dipping sauce. 8 pieces.
NEW Reuben Rarebit – New York Deli Style
A ready-to-bake blend of Emmental cheese, pastrami and pickled gherkins with ale, Worcester sauce and mustard, inspired by the bold flavours of a Reuben sandwich. Serves 4.
NEW No.1 12 Crispy Bacon Carbonara Cups
Enjoy 12 bitesized cups of crisp, maple-cured smoked bacon filled with creamy spaghetti carbonara made with extra mature Cheddar.
NEW No.1 8 Santa Bao Buns
Our festive take on the popular snack – soft, pillowy, handmade mini Santa bao buns filled with shredded vegetables in a deliciously sweet, sticky hoisin sauce.
NEW 12 Duchy Organic Free Range British Pork Sausages Wrapped in Bacon
Deliciously meaty sausages made from prime cuts of free-range pork shoulder, wrapped in unsmoked, air-matured bacon.
NEW No.1 8 Crab & Brown Butter Crumpets
Mini crumpets topped with a rich crab gratin made with spiced brown butter and crème fraîche, finished with a sprinkle of paprika.
NEW Bake at Home Cheesy Trio
A crowd-pleasing trio of cheeses in ready-to-bake ceramics. Gouda with crème fraîche and cider, Welsh Rarebit made with Red Fox Red Leicester, and Gorgonzola blended with cream and Prosecco – just add plenty of bread for dipping. Serves 20.
NEW 12 Frozen Vegetable Spring Rolls
Crisp filo pastry rolls filled with carrot, yam bean, cabbage and wood ear mushroom. Great for dipping into soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce.
NEW Frozen Katsu Chicken Goujons
Tender British chicken in a spiced batter and crunchy coconut crumb. Serves 4.
Christmas desserts
No matter how much party food your guests pile their plates with, there's always room for something sweet. Lay out (large) spoons for the likes of sumptuous No.1 Millionaire's Torte, light Limoncello Fizz Panettone and brand-new, showstopping No.1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert.
No.1 Millionaire’s Torte
Sumptuous dark chocolate ganache and velvety caramel on a crunchy biscuit base, studded with shimmering cocoa nibs. Serves 10-12.
No.1 9 Mini Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac
Brown butter gives the pastry a nutty flavour that perfectly complements a rich mincemeat made with glacé Amarena cherries, almonds and apricots, and laced with Cognac in this 9-pack of pies.
NEW Limoncello Fizz Panettone
This light Italian cake with candied lemon peel has pockets of limoncello filling and is infused with sparkling wine syrup. Sprinkle over the fizzy lemon sugar to finish. Serves 8.
NEW No.1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert
This creamy white chocolate and mascarpone mousse with tangy raspberry and redcurrant compôte sits on a crunchy feuilletine and cocoa sponge base. It’s finished with a red lustre and comes with decorative baubles for you to add the finishing touches. Serves 10.
Available 19 December
NEW 6 Mini Tiramisu Desserts
Six individual tiramisus with coffee sauce-soaked sponge cake, rich mascarpone and Marsala wine cream. Neatly portioned for one per guest (or all six just for you…).
Available 11 December
Christmas leftovers recipes
Transform Christmas Day leftovers into a delicious Boxing Day or Twixtmas buffet feast.
Leftover turkey recipes
Discover crowd-pleasing dishes, from turkey curry to turkey & sprout pot pie.
Leftover cheese recipes
Dig into Brie & caramelised leek tart, loaded potato skins and plenty more.
Leftover dessert recipes
Christmas pudding doughnuts or Christmas pudding brownies? That is the question.
Christmas drinks
The food’s sorted – now it’s time to fill the fridge with fizz, make plans for homemade punch or stock up on mulled wine to simmer on the hob.
Shop drinks with your groceries
Add wine, fizz, beer, spirits and pre-made Tails cocktails to your food order.
Shop at Waitrose Cellar
Discover our full range of wines, all handpicked by our experts.
Shop now
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Christmas cocktail recipes
Get creative and shake up wintery cocktails and mocktails.
Looking for Christmas buffet inspiration?
Create an unforgettable Christmas buffet with our range of festive dishes. From elegant canapés to vibrant platters and indulgent desserts, we’ve got a variety of options to suit every taste.
Hosting a large gathering or a cosy dinner? Our selection ensures your spread will be both delicious and memorable. Start with flavourful crisps, nuts, and snacks for a quick, tasty appetiser. Bring a touch of sophistication to the table with rich pâtés and terrines alongside smoked salmon for a hint of luxury. For heartier bites, explore our deli platters, and round off the celebration with delicious desserts and wine, fizz, and festive drinks to toast the occasion.
Whether you’re putting together an extravagant buffet or a more intimate spread, our Christmas party food brings you a delicious selection to make this Christmas truly special.